The 3CS stack was originally slated for launch aboard the Space Shuttle in 2003, but after the Shuttle Columbia tragedy, mission organizers switched to the first launch of the Boeing Delta IV Heavy rocket. Due to a problem with the rocket during launch, the 3CS satellites on board, Sparkie and Ralphie, failed to achieve orbit. The satellites were to have been dropped off at a low 180 km × 240 km, but they entered orbit at a height of only 105 km, which led to a rapid decay.