Under a contract signed with the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) on June 19, Boeing will launch an NRO satellite from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla., in early 2001. It will be the first NRO payload to be launched aboard a Delta rocket.

The satellite is the geosynchronous lightweight technology experiment (GeoLITE), which is an advanced technology demonstration satellite with a laser communications experiment and an operational UHF communications mission.

"We appreciate both the SMC's and the NRO's confidence in selecting the Delta II rocket to launch this prominent national security payload," said Jay Witzling, Boeing vice president, Delta II. "This is a great opportunity to establish a strong working relationship with the NRO and further develop our long-standing partnership with the Air Force."

The Air Force contracted the launch under a progressive procurement process, which is laying the groundwork for a more commercialized launch procurement system for the U.S. government.

The Delta II is a medium capacity expendable launch vehicle derived from the Delta family of rockets built and launched since 1960. The Delta II rocket is manufactured in Huntington Beach, Calif., with final assembly in Pueblo, Colo., and is powered by the RS-27A engine built by Boeing in Canoga Park, Calif.

Boeing unveils its newest, largest, and most powerful addition to the Delta launch family -- the Delta III -- in August. Initial customers include Hughes Space and Communications International, Inc., of Los Angeles, and Space Systems/Loral of Palo Alto, Calif.

The company also continues development of the Delta IV/ Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV), which aims to reduce space launch costs from 25 to 50 percent.