Vulcan – Page 3 – Spaceflight Now

ULA says its Vulcan rocket is finally ready to fly

January 6, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

Nearly a decade of planning, designing, assembly and testing for United Launch Alliance (ULA) is about to culminate in the first launch of its Vulcan rocket. The maiden flight of the launch vehicle is set for Monday, Jan. 8, at 2:18 am EST (0718 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

NASA discusses Moon-bound science as ULA’s Vulcan rocket gets go ahead for Jan. 8 launch

January 5, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission will be a first for both ULA’s Vulcan rocket as well as Astrobotic’s lunar lander, Peregrine. Liftoff is set for Monday, Jan. 8 at 2:18 am EST (0718 UTC).

ULA stacks Vulcan rocket for the first time ahead of Jan. 8 debut launch

December 21, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

The fully-integrated Vulcan rocket stands 202 feet (61.6 meters) tall. ULA is aiming to launch the rocket and its payload, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander, on Jan. 8, 2024 at 2:18 a.m. EST (0718 UTC).

ULA’s first mission with its Vulcan rocket slides to January launch window

December 10, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

The debut of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket is slipping from late December into early January, according to the company’s president and CEO, Tory Bruno. In a social media post on Sunday, Bruno said the planned Dec. 24 launch date was no longer a viable option.

Aerojet Rocketdyne, ULA mark 60th anniversary of RL10 rocket engine

November 28, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

A rocket engine with a long pedigree marked a big milestone on Monday. It’s 60 years since the hydrogen-fueled RL10 engine debuted onboard a Centaur upper stage launched from Cape Canaveral on Nov. 27, 1963.

Capitol Hill budget battle may limit initial funding of some National Security Space Launch missions

November 8, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

Among the 21 missions set to be ordered in the fifth year of Phase 2 task orders, only eight are anticipated to be ordered under a continuing resolution.

Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander arrives in Florida ahead of Christmas Eve Moon-bound launch

November 1, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

The first payload teed up for NASA’s industry-led missions to the Moon has arrived in Florida. Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander was unpacked inside a clean room on the Space Coast after leaving the company’s facilities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Friday.

Amazon unveils plans for $120 million satellite processing facility for its internet constellation

July 21, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

On Friday, online retail giant amazon will join with members of Space Florida to reveal its plans for a 100,000-square-foot satellite processing facility located at Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility (LLF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

ULA outlines path to inaugural Vulcan launch following upper stage issues

July 13, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

The debut of United Launch Alliance’s next generation rocket, the Vulcan Centaur, is now scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2023, company CEO and President Tory Bruno said during a media briefing on Thursday.

ULA test-fires first Vulcan rocket at Cape Canaveral

June 7, 2023 Stephen Clark

United Launch Alliance’s first Vulcan Centaur rocket completed a critical test-firing of its Blue Origin-built BE-4 main engines Wednesday night, clearing one of two remaining technical hurdles before the launcher is cleared for its inaugural flight later this year.