Mission

     The Titan IV is a heavy-lift space-launch vehicle used to carry 
Department of Defense payloads, such as Defense Support Program 
and Milstar satellites, into space.

Features 

     The Titan IV is the newest and largest unmanned space booster 
used by the Air Force.  It provides assured capability for launch of 
space shuttle-class payloads.  The vehicle is flexible in that it can be 
launched with one of two optional upper stages for greater and varied 
carrying ability.
     The Titan IVs first stage consists of an LR87 liquid-propellant 
rocket that features structurally independent tanks for its fuel 
(Aerozine 50) and oxidizer (Nitrogen Tetroxide).  This minimizes the 
hazard of the two mixing if a leak should develop in either tank.  
Additionally, the engines propellant can be stored in a launch-ready 
state for extended periods.  The use of propellants stored at normal 
temperature and pressure eliminates delays and gives the Titan IV the 
capability to meet critical launch windows.

Background  

     The Titan family was established in October 1955 when the U.S. 
Air Force awarded the then, Martin Company, a contract to build a 
heavy-duty space system.  It became known as the Titan I, the 
nations first two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile and first 
underground silo-based ICBM.  Titan I provided many structural and 
propulsion techniques that were later incorporated into the Titan II.  
Years later the Titan IV evolved from the Titan III family and is 
similar to the Titan 34D.

General Characteristics

Primary Function: Launch vehicle used to lift heavy satellites into 
space.  
Builder:  Martin Marietta Astronautics Group.
Power Plant:  Stage 0 currently consists of two solid-rocket motors; 
Stage 1 uses an LR87 liquid-propellant rocket engine; and Stage 2 
uses the LR91 liquid-propellant engine.  Optional upper stages 
include the  General Dynamics Centaur and Boeing Aerospace 
inertial upper stages.  A solid-rocket motor   upgrade manufactured 
by Hercules will be available by fiscal year 1994. 
Cost: Approximately $177 million; approximately $230 million with 
Centaur upper stage.
Launch Sites:  Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., and 
Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Guidance System:  Delco inertial guidance system; a ring laser gyro 
guidance system manufactured by Honeywell will be incorporated 
into the Titan IV by fiscal year 1995.
Thrust:  Solid rocket motors provide 1.5 million pounds (675,000 
kilograms) per motor at liftoff.  First stage provides an average of 
548,000 pounds (246,600 kilograms) and second stage provides an 
average of 105,000 pounds (47,250 kilograms).  Optional Centaur 
upper stage provides 33,100 pounds (14,895 kilograms) and inertial 
upper stage provides up to 41,500 pounds (18,675 kilograms).
Length:  Up to 204 feet (61.2 meters).
Lift Capability:  Titan IV can currently carry up to 39,000 pounds 
(17,550  kilograms) into a 90-mile high orbit (144 kilometers); up to 
10,000 pounds (4,500 kilograms) 22,000-mile (35,200 kilometers), 
synchronous orbit when launched from Cape Canaveral; and up to 
31,000 pounds (13,950 kilograms) into a 100-mile (160 kilometers) 
high polar orbit  when launched from Vandenberg.  Using an inertial 
upper stage, the Titan IV can transport up to 5,250 pounds (2,362.5 
kilograms) into geosynchronous orbit.  The solid rocket motor 
upgrade, due in fiscal year 1994, will add 25 percent additional 
carrying capability.
Maximum Takeoff Weight:  Approximately 1,900 pounds (2,855  
kilograms).
Date Deployed:  June 1989.
Inventory:  Active force, 14; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0.


Point Of Contact:
Air Force Space Command, Public Affairs Offices; 150 Vandenberg 
St., Suite 1150, Colorado Springs, CO., 80914-4500; DSN 692-
3731, comm (719)  554-3731.