Evolved expendable launch vehicle system: RS-68 main engine development

Delta IV is one of two competing Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) systems being developed in an industry/United States Government partnership to meet the needs of the new era of space launch for the early decades of the 21st Century. The Rocketdyne Division of The Boeing Company and the United States Air Force have developed a 650 Klbf sea-level (2.9 MN) class liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen main engine for the Delta IV family of EELV. The purpose of this paper is to present the innovative approach to the design, development, testing and certification of the RS-68 engine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]