# Delta IV Small

> variant of the Delta IV space launch vehicle (cancelled prior to production)

**Wikidata**: [Q23933913](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23933913)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/delta-iv-small

## Summary
Delta IV Small was a planned variant of the Delta IV space launch vehicle that was cancelled prior to production, intended as part of the Delta rocket family's medium-lift capabilities.

## Key Facts
- Classification: Medium-lift launch vehicle variant of the Delta IV family
- Status: Cancelled prior to production
- Part of: Delta rocket family
- Country of origin: United States
- Manufacturer history: Boeing Defense, Space & Security (planned 2002-2006), United Launch Alliance (not applicable as cancelled)
- Variants: Delta IV Medium, Delta IV Medium+(4,2), Delta IV Medium+(5,2), Delta IV Medium+(5,4), Delta IV Small (cancelled), Delta IV Heavy
- Technical component: Common Booster Core (shared with other Delta IV variants)

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Delta IV Small?
A: It was a cancelled medium-lift variant of the Delta IV launch vehicle, intended to be part of the Delta rocket family but never produced.

### Q: Why was the Delta IV Small cancelled?
A: The source material indicates it was cancelled prior to production, though specific reasons are not provided in the text.

### Q: What was the Delta IV Small's role in the Delta family?
A: It was intended as one of several medium-lift configurations within the Delta IV family, alongside the Medium, Medium+(4,2), Medium+(5,2), Medium+(5,4), and Heavy variants.

## Why It Matters
Delta IV Small represents an abandoned medium-lift configuration within the Delta rocket family, reflecting the evolving needs and strategic decisions in the space launch industry. While it was cancelled before production, its planned existence illustrates the family's attempt to offer diverse launch capabilities to meet various mission requirements. The cancellation highlights the competitive nature of the space launch market and the need for flexible, adaptable launch systems.

## Notable For
- Planned as a medium-lift variant within the Delta IV family
- Cancelled before production, never becoming operational
- Part of the broader Delta IV family that includes multiple configurations
- Shared technical components with other Delta IV variants
- Listed among the official variants of the Delta IV system

## Body
### Development and History
Delta IV Small was developed as part of the Delta rocket family's medium-lift capabilities. The Delta IV program was initiated to provide modern, versatile launch capabilities for a range of payloads, with the Small variant intended to complement the existing Medium configurations. The variant was announced as part of the Delta IV family's expansion but was ultimately cancelled before any production occurred.

### Variants and Configurations
The Delta IV family includes several medium-lift configurations:
- Delta IV Medium
- Delta IV Medium+(4,2)
- Delta IV Medium+(5,2)
- Delta IV Medium+(5,4)
- Delta IV Small (cancelled)
- Delta IV Heavy

Each variant offered different performance characteristics to accommodate various payload requirements, with the Small variant representing an intermediate option between the standard Medium and the more powerful Heavy configuration.

### Technical Specifications
Delta IV Small was classified as a medium-lift launch vehicle, incorporating the Common Booster Core design that provided modular flexibility across the Delta IV family. This design allowed for consistent technical components while enabling different performance levels through variations in core configurations and upper stage arrangements.

### Manufacturer Transition
The Delta IV program initially involved Boeing Defense, Space & Security from 2002 to 2006, after which United Launch Alliance took over production. However, since Delta IV Small was cancelled prior to production, it never entered the manufacturing phase under either company.

### Relationship to Other Delta IV Models
Delta IV Small was positioned as a medium-lift variant within the Delta IV family, complementing the existing Medium and Heavy configurations. The variant was intended to provide additional flexibility for medium-sized payloads while maintaining the technical advantages of the Delta IV platform's Common Booster Core design. Its cancellation suggests that the Delta IV family's existing Medium variants were sufficient to meet the market demand for medium-lift capabilities.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.spacedaily.com/news/delta4-98b.html)
2. [Source](http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/delta-4.htm)
3. [Source](https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-introduces-new-delta-iv-variants-for-commercial-43435/)