2012-003

Delta-4M+(5,4)

USA

The United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket that will deploy the U.S. military's fourth Wideband Global SATCOM communications spacecraft into orbit in January was transported from the Horizontal Integration Facility to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral's Complex 37 on the afternoon of Monday, October 10, 2011.
A 36-wheel, diesel-powered transporter moved the 170-foot-long rocket the short trip down the road and up the pad's ramp to begin preparations for the WGS 4 mission.

Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now

The mobile service gantry is rolled back to unveil the United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket at Cape Canaveral's Complex 37 in preparation for blastoff carrying the Air Force's Wideband Global SATCOM 4 communications spacecraft.

Photo credit: Pat Corkery/United Launch Alliance

Launch

Launch vehicle:	Delta-4M+(5,4)
Launch vehicle ID:
Payload:	WGS F4 (USA 233)
Launch date:	20 Jan 2012
Launch site:	CC, SLC-37B

The Delta 4 carrying WGS 4 will be flying in the Medium+(5,4) configuration, which is the most powerful of the Medium-version rockets and below only the triple-core Heavy in the modular family's lineup.
The Medium+(5,4) has a five-meter-diameter upper stage loaded with more cryogenic propellants than the optional four-meter motor used for other launches, such as GPS missions. The rocket also has a full set of four solid-fuel boosters strapped to the first stage, double the number used for GPS and other lower-weight payloads.
The first stage is powered by the RS-68 hydrogen-fed main engine and the upper stage has the RL10B-2 engine, the powerplants used on all 17 Delta 4 missions to date.
With WGS 4 now aboard, the fully stacked rocket stands 217 feet, 7 inches tall.

Ref: #12 - update: 29.01.12