Delta III

Delta III was an expendable launch vehicle made by McDonnell Douglas, later acquired by Boeing, and the third generation of the Delta rocket family. It was developed from the Delta II to launch larger satellites, delivering up to 3,810 kilograms to geostationary transfer orbit, twice the Delta II payload, and it was the first to use the Delta Cryogenic Second Stage, designed by Japan and built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Its first launch on 26 August 1998 was a failure, as was the second, and the third reached the low end of its target orbit with only a dummy payload. Development was canceled before it became operational, though its technology passed to the Delta IV.