Posted: Sat, Apr 28, 2007, 11:35 AM ET (1535 GMT)
Boeing is considering returning the Delta 4 launch vehicle to the commercial market to help make up for weak government launch schedules, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday. According to the article, the Air Force is asking Boeing to try and sell the Delta 4 commercially to make up for a shortfall in government launches later this decade, thus reducing the costs that would have to be shouldered by the government for its missions. While government Delta 4 launches are now run by the United Launch Alliance, the Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture that also operates the Atlas 5, commercial launches of the Delta 4 would be managed by Boeing Launch Services. Boeing withdrew the Delta 4 from the commercial market in mid-2003, citing weak launch demand. A company official said at a 2005 conference that Boeing was planning to return the Delta 4 to the commercial market that year, but the company quickly backed away from those claims.

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•  Wall Street Journal article (subscription required)