Unveiled to the theme from the motion picture "The Right Stuff©," Boeing on Tuesday dedicated its new Space Launch Complex (SLC) 37 facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

SLC-37 is the newest, most state-of-the-art rocket processing and launch facility and will serve as the home of east coast launch operations for the new Boeing Delta IV, which is part of the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.

Tuesday's dedication ceremony marked the completion of the final element of the new facility - the launch pad itself.

On hand for Tuesday's ceremony were Congressman Dave Weldon of Florida; Secretary of the Air Force James G. Roche; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition and Management Darleen Druyun, and Florida Lieutenant Governor Frank T. Brogan.

"The completion of Space Launch Complex 37 brings Boeing one step closer to providing the next generation of launch services with the new Boeing Delta IV," said Jim Albaugh, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Space and Communications. "Our Delta IV launch service incorporates new concepts and technologies that enable rockets to be produced, processed and launched more safely, reliably, efficiently and affordably. We're looking forward to the first flight of the Delta IV from SLC-37 next year."

The new SLC-37 facility will process and launch all five variants of the Delta IV family that includes the Delta IV Medium, three versions of the Delta IV Medium+, and the Delta IV Heavy. SLC-37 will enable the Boeing Delta team to prepare a Delta IV launch vehicle in fewer than 30 days upon its arrival from the factory, reducing on-pad preparation time to about 10 days, which significantly reduces costs.

"This new launch capability enhances our access to space, provides increased operational flexibility, and deepens the commitment of our industrial base teammates to world-class space launch systems," said James G. Roche, Secretary of the Air Force. "We look forward to building on this public-private partnership to serve America's needs in space."

In addition to the launch pad, SLC-37 also includes the Delta IV Horizontal Integration Facility, Operations Center and Logistics Operations buildings. The Boeing Delta team has already begun preliminary operations of SLC-37 to test its new systems, structures and processes.

The Delta IV is scheduled to begin service early next year and is sold out for 2002 with four planned launches. The Delta IV is already halfway sold out for 2003, which is when construction of the new SLC-6 facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., is targeted for completion.

The Boeing Company, headquartered in Chicago, is the largest aerospace company in the world and the United States' leading exporter. It is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, and the largest NASA contractor. The company's capabilities in aerospace also include rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket engines, launch vehicles, satellites, and advanced information and communication systems. The company has an extensive global reach with customers in 145 countries and manufacturing operations throughout the United States, Canada and Australia.