# D-296

> Delta IV Medium space launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q23933927](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23933927)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/d-296

## Summary  
D-296 is a specific Delta IV Medium launch vehicle that deployed critical U.S. military communications satellites, including USA-167 and USA-170. It belongs to the Delta IV Medium variant of the Delta IV expendable launch system.  

## Key Facts  
- **Classification**: Instance of the Delta IV Medium class, a variant of the Delta IV expendable launch system.  
- **Associated Payloads**: Deployed USA-167 and USA-170, American military communications satellites.  
- **Class Aliases**: Part of the Delta IV Medium class, also known as Delta 9040 or Delta-4M.  
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37B (inferred from class data).  
- **Related Vehicles**: D-301 (another specific Delta IV Medium launch vehicle).  
- **Parent Class**: Delta IV Medium, referenced in aerospace literature as a subclass of the Delta IV rocket family.  
- **Notable Event**: Contributed to national security through satellite deployments.  

## FAQs  
**Q: What is D-296 used for?**  
A: D-296 is a launch vehicle optimized for medium-lift missions, specifically deployed to launch U.S. military communications satellites like USA-167 and USA-170.  

**Q: How does D-296 differ from other Delta IV variants?**  
A: As a Delta IV Medium instance, it is tailored for medium-payload missions, unlike heavier variants like the Delta IV Heavy.  

**Q: What satellites did D-296 deploy?**  
A: D-296 launched USA-167 and USA-170, which enhance secure military communication networks.  

**Q: Is D-296 reusable?**  
A: No, as part of the Delta IV class, it is an expendable launch system discarded after a single mission.  

**Q: Where was D-296 launched from?**  
A: It launched from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37B, the typical site for Delta IV Medium missions.  

## Why It Matters  
D-296 is critical to U.S. national security infrastructure, enabling reliable deployment of military communications satellites that ensure secure strategic networks. As a Delta IV Medium instance, it leverages the platform’s proven reliability to address sensitive, high-payload missions. Its role in launching USA-167 and USA-170 underscores its contribution to maintaining communication capabilities for defense operations.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Satellite Launches**: Successfully deployed USA-167 and USA-170, bolstering military communication systems.  
- **Medium-Lift Specialization**: Optimized for medium payloads, balancing payload capacity and cost-effectiveness.  
- **Class Recognition**: Part of the Delta IV Medium class, documented under aliases Delta 9040 and Delta-4M.  
- **National Security Role**: Integral to U.S. government satellite communication infrastructure.  

## Body  
### Overview  
D-296 is a specific vehicle within the Delta IV Medium class, a variant of the Delta IV expendable launch system. It is designed for medium-lift missions and distinguished by its designation in the Delta IV family.  

### Missions and Payloads  
- **USA-167**: A military communications satellite deployed by D-296 to enhance secure U.S. government communications.  
- **USA-170**: Another critical satellite launched by D-296, supporting the military’s network infrastructure.  

### Technical Context  
- **Class Designation**: Delta IV Medium, with aerospace aliases Delta 9040 and Delta-4M.  
- **Parent System**: Part of the broader Delta IV rocket family, an expendable launch system for government missions.  
- **Configuration**: Inherits reliability from the Delta IV platform, emphasizing performance over reusability.  

### Launch Operations  
- **Typical Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37B (standard for the Delta IV Medium class).  
- **First Class Launch**: The Delta IV Medium class debuted on March 11, 2003, establishing a baseline for missions involving D-296.  

### Related Entities  
- **Sister Vehicles**: D-301, another Delta IV Medium launch vehicle used for similar military satellite deployments.  
- **Documentation**: Class covered in Latvian Wikipedia, reflecting international recognition in aerospace literature.  

### Strategic Significance  
D-296 exemplifies the Delta IV Medium class’s role in national security by deploying satellites critical for military communications. Its expendable design ensures mission-specific optimization, making it ideal for sensitive payloads. The vehicle’s contributions to USA-167 and USA-170 highlight its importance in sustaining strategic communication networks.

## References

1. [Source](http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/delta-4.htm)