BoeingDelta IV HeavySpace Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Demosat and 3CS-1 & 2
Launched
December 21, 2004
Image: United Launch Alliance
Summary
Delta IV Heavy Demo (DemoSat & 3CS) launched on a Boeing Delta IV Heavy from Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on December 21, 2004. The mission was a partial failure: Two nanosats were lost after a first stage anomaly. Additionally, the mass simulator was placed into the wrong orbit. It was Boeing's 2nd launch, 1st this year and humanity's 4,691st orbital launch attempt. It was the 1st Delta IV Heavy flight. The payload was bound for Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO). 2 objects from this launch are catalogued, one of them a payload.
- Result
- Two nanosats were lost after a first stage anomaly. Additionally, the mass simulator was placed into the wrong orbit.
- Watch
- Vehicle
- Delta IV Heavy · Boeing
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Test Flight · Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO)
- Milestone
- 1st Delta IV Heavy flightBoeing's 2nd launch1st this yearhumanity's 4,691st orbital launch attempt52nd orbital launch attempt this year
Flight preview
Catalogued objects
2 catalogued: 1 payload, 1 rocket stage; 2 still in orbit
- Demosat · NORAD 28500 · in orbit
Delta 310 · in orbit
Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org
About this launch
The first flight of the Delta IV Heavy carried a ballast payload, DemoSat, bound for a geosynchronous orbit, plus the 3CS student nanosatellites Sparkie and Ralphie. Sensor-triggered early engine cutoffs left DemoSat in a lower orbit than planned and the nanosatellites failed to reach orbit.
Pad
Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
11th launch from Space Launch Complex 37B, 1st this year · 631st from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
40 launches from this pad · 1,131 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
479 days after the previous launch from this pad
Questions
When did Delta IV Heavy Demo (DemoSat & 3CS) launch?
Delta IV Heavy Demo (DemoSat & 3CS) launched on December 21, 2004. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Why was Delta IV Heavy Demo (DemoSat & 3CS) a partial failure?
Two nanosats were lost after a first stage anomaly. Additionally, the mass simulator was placed into the wrong orbit.
Where can I watch Delta IV Heavy Demo (DemoSat & 3CS)?
Coverage: Delta IV Heavy inaugural launch. Watch the replay
What rocket launched Delta IV Heavy Demo (DemoSat & 3CS)?
Delta IV Heavy, flown by Boeing. Delta IV Heavy spec sheet
Where did Delta IV Heavy Demo (DemoSat & 3CS) launch from?
Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
What orbit was Delta IV Heavy Demo (DemoSat & 3CS) going to?
Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO), a test flight mission.
How many satellites did Delta IV Heavy Demo (DemoSat & 3CS) launch?
1 payload from this launch is catalogued, still in orbit (Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org).