Vulcan
31 articles
ULA begins stacking its 1st Vulcan rocket supporting a national security mission
This is the second time the rocket is being prepared for launch following a months long delay in certifying the launch vehicle. ULA hasn’t announced a specific launch date, but it’s expected sometime this summer.
VideoU.S. Space Force certifies ULA’s Vulcan rocket to begin launching national security missions
The conclusion of certification closes out a process that began in September 2016 and saw the government closely track the development of Vulcan alongside United Launch Alliance. Its first National Security Space Launch mission is targeting liftoff over the summer.
VideoULA begins de-stacking Vulcan rocket, pivots to Atlas 5 launch of Amazon’s Kuiper satellites for first 2025 mission
The change in manifest comes as the U.S. Space Force’s Assured Access to Space continues the certification process for the Vulcan rocket. United Launch Alliance will begin stacking an Atlas rocket in the coming weeks.
VideoSpace Force says first national security Vulcan launch now anticipated in spring 2025
The first mission for United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket as part of the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 contract will be USSF-106. ULA began stacking the rocket that will support this mission in October 2024.
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ULA begins stacking Vulcan rocket in anticipation of first national security mission
The USSF-106 mission will be the first launch of the Vulcan rocket once it receives certification to support missions on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense. A launch date has not yet been announced for the third Vulcan flight.
VideoULA launches second Vulcan flight, encounters strap-on booster anomaly
United Launch Alliance fired off a next-generation Vulcan rocket Friday in the second of two "certification" test flights needed before the new launcher can be used to carry high-priority national security payloads for the U.S. Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office. One of two solid-propellant strap-on boosters provided by Northrop Grumman suffered an anomaly of some sort. ULA CEO Tory Bruno said it will be investigated.
ULA rolls its Vulcan rocket to the launch pad ahead of second test flight
The return of a Vulcan rocket to the pad at Space Launch Complex 41 comes as United Launch Alliance steps closer to being able to launch national security missions for the U.S. Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office. Launch is set for Friday, Oct. 4, during a three-hour launch window that opens at 6 a.m. EDT (1000 UTC).
Video‘Cleanest first flight,’ ULA president reflects on inaugural Vulcan launch and future of program
ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno described the first flight of the Vulcan launch as remarkable in his career. He said hardware for Vulcan’s next flight will head down to Florida soon.
VideoSierra Space unveils fully integrated Dream Chaser spaceplane amid testing campaign
The cargo transport vehicle is in the middle of shake table testing at NASA’s Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. It will be the payload onboard United Launch Alliance’s second certification flight of the Vulcan rocket.
VideoAstrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander ends mission in fiery reentry
The first U.S. lander bound for the Moon since 1972 burned up in Earth's atmosphere on Thursday. The unfortunate ending for Astrobotic’s spacecraft was deemed the most responsible choice given its hopes of reaching the Moon were dashed less than a day after it launched.