LAUNCH SYSTEMS

Boeing Launch Services (BLS)

"BLS is an organization that combines strategic planning, business development and sales for Delta commercial launch service customers. It is part of the Space Exploration division of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems and is based in Huntington Beach, California," writes the Boeing website.

"BLS works with customers to match mission requirements with the capabilities of the Delta family of launch vehicles. Boeing has experience in accommodating a variety of mission-specific launch requirements including communications, scientific, remote sensing, multiple manifest and auxiliary payload. Whether the payload needs to be delivered to low Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), or inserted directly to geosynchronous Earth orbit, BLS is the single point of contact for commercial customers.

The Delta family of launch vehicles offers a full range of capability to launch satellites up to 12,980 kg (28,620 lb) to GTO. Each launch vehicle is a highly reliable and accurate launch system. Boeing Launch Services procures the launch vehicles and related support from United Launch Alliance, the Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture.

Delta II, 'the workhorse of the launch industry' has demonstrated more than 98-percent reliability in over 125 launches since 1989. Boeing has commercial launch service contracts in place for Delta II through the end of 2007 and plans to continue to offer the vehicle commercially for as long as there is a demand for it.

Delta IV, the newest and most modern member of the Delta family, has a 100-percent reliability record. Currently, BLS has a commercial launch service contract to launch two weather satellites for NASA and NOAA through the end of 2009 using the medium version vehicle of the Delta IV family.

Launch facilities at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., provide Boeing with high launch-rate capacity to virtually any orbit."



Sea Launch

Boeing’s website writes: "Sea Launch, the world's only ocean-based launch services company, provides commercial satellite customers the most direct and cost-effective route to geosynchronus transfer orbit. From its equatorial launch site, the robust Sea Launch rocket can lift a heavier spacecraft mass or place a payload into a higher perigee, helping satellite operators to attain a longer satellite service capability."