The Delta III was an expendable launch vehicle developed by McDonnell Douglas for the United States space program. It was designed to carry payloads into low Earth orbit and was part of the larger Delta rocket family. The Delta III featured a larger payload capacity compared to its predecessors, utilizing a more powerful engine system. The rocket made its first and only flight on August 12, 1999, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Although it successfully launched its payload, the mission faced challenges, leading to the decision to discontinue the Delta III program. It was eventually succeeded by the more advanced Delta IV rocket.