Tag

Centaur V

All articles tagged with #centaur v

space-exploration1 month ago•56 min saved

NASA Names Centaur V as SLS Upper Stage, Reshaping Artemis Roadmap

NASA will standardize the Space Launch System upper stage with ULA’s Centaur V for Artemis IV and Artemis V, replacing the ICPS/EUS configuration to allow a faster launch cadence. Artemis 2 remains on track, Artemis 3 is shifted to 2027, and Artemis 4–5 will fly with the Centaur V. The contract was awarded to ULA as a sole-source award, and while Starship/Blue Moon remain potential options for later missions, the current plan centers on the Centaur V-powered SLS.

via Space|

#artemis #centaur-v #nasa

space1 month ago•10 min saved

Artemis Replan accelerates lunar cadence with standardized stack and Centaur V

NASA's Artemis replan standardizes hardware, cancels major upgrades, and adopts a near-Block 1 configuration using Centaur V upper stages to push a roughly 10-month flight cadence, targeting annual crewed lunar landings from 2028. Artemis II remains slated for April 2026; Artemis III becomes an all-in-orbit system test with docking to commercial landers before a 2028 surface landing with Artemis IV, while Gateway emphasis is reduced and ML-2 and BOLE are effectively canceled. Michoud production continues for multiple core stages, but several funding, workforce, and integration details remain to be resolved.

via NASASpaceFlight.com -|

#artemis #centaur-v #moon

science1 month ago•9 min saved

NASA overhauls Artemis to speed lunar return with a standardized SLS

NASA announced a sweeping Artemis overhaul: cancel the costly Exploration Upper Stage, standardize the SLS for a higher cadence (about every 10 months), and push more work to commercial lunar landers with SpaceX and Blue Origin so Artemis III won't land on the Moon but will dock Orion with landers in Earth orbit; Artemis IV would be the first lunar landing, with annual missions beginning in mid-2027 and into 2028, while Gateway tower and Moon-base questions stay under review.

via Ars Technica|

#artemis #centaur-v #exploration-upper-stage

space2 years ago•5 min saved

"Vulcan Launch Delayed to Late 2023 Due to Anomalies and Investigation"

United Launch Alliance (ULA) plans to launch its next-generation Vulcan rocket, despite recent anomalies involving the Centaur V upper stage and the BE-4 engines. The Centaur V upper stage was destroyed during a test due to a hydrogen leak, while one of the BE-4 engines exploded during a test firing. ULA is working on modifications and fixes for both issues, including adding a stainless steel ring to strengthen the Centaur V and changing the welding procedure. The first certification flight of Vulcan is expected to occur in late 2023 or early 2024, with full vehicle certification anticipated in the first quarter of 2024.

via NASASpaceflight.com|

#anomalies #be-4-engines #centaur-v

space2 years ago•2 min saved

"United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur Debut Faces Delay"

United Launch Alliance is delaying the maiden launch of its Vulcan Centaur rocket due to an anomaly investigation into the Centaur V upper stage. The investigation found that minor reinforcements are needed for the Centaur's thin-walled pressure stabilized tanks. The rocket's first stage performed well during testing, but United Launch Alliance wants to address potential issues on the ground before flight. The delay may result in national security payloads being switched to SpaceX's Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy. The fix is expected to be relatively easy, and the launch could still happen this year.

via TESLARATI|

#anomaly-investigation #centaur-v #rocket-launch

space-technology2 years ago•4 min saved

ULA's Vulcan Centaur Rocket Faces Delays and Returns to Factory for Fixes

United Launch Alliance (ULA) has sent the upper stage of its Vulcan rocket back to the factory for reinforcements after a test article exploded during a structural test. ULA engineers have determined that the upper stage needs more work, delaying the first flight of the Vulcan rocket until at least the fourth quarter of this year. The Vulcan rocket is set to replace ULA's Atlas and Delta launch vehicles and is crucial for the US military's satellite launches. The issue with the upper stage's fuel tank is considered minor and can be easily fixed.

via Ars Technica|

#centaur-v #rocket-launch #rocket-recall

space-technology2 years ago•4 min saved

ULA Recalls Vulcan Upper Stage for Further Enhancements

United Launch Alliance (ULA) has sent the upper stage of its Vulcan rocket back to the factory for reinforcements after a test article exploded during a structural test. ULA engineers have determined that the upper stage needs more work, delaying the first flight of the Vulcan rocket until at least the fourth quarter of this year. The Vulcan rocket is set to replace ULA's Atlas and Delta launch vehicles and is crucial for launching the US military's critical satellites. The issue with the upper stage's fuel tank is described as a "minor reinforcement" and is expected to be relatively easy to fix.

via Ars Technica|

#centaur-v #rocket-launch #rocket-recall