All articles tagged with #vulcan rocket
With Vulcan booster nozzle failures prompting investigation, the Space Force says reliability will heavily influence future launch procurements, including potential mission swaps to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and other providers as officials weigh which rockets will carry critical national-security satellites and how to structure the next NSSL competition.
The grounding of ULA’s Vulcan rocket after a motor anomaly could force delays or reassignments for multiple Space Force and NRO missions, with near-term impacts on WGS-11+, Next-Gen GEO, and SILENTBARKER. GPS III SV-10 has been shifted to SpaceX Falcon 9 as launch manifests adjust, while Space Systems Command and the NSSL program are evaluating affected timelines. ULA says no Vulcan flights will occur until corrective actions are completed and a GEM 63XL upgrade is planned for the next Vulcan mission; an investigation into the anomaly is underway.
The Rocket Report this week centers on NASA’s pivot from a lunar station toward a Moon base and a nuclear-electric propulsion demo (Space Reactor-1) as Artemis II nears its circumlunar flight. The piece also tracks launch cadence and bottlenecks: Isar’s Spectrum launch delay, Amazon Leo’s accelerated target despite ULA’s Vulcan grounding, and the Space Force moving more missions to alternative providers; Cape Canaveral saw a mysterious missile test, while Russia advanced Baikonur operations and the Starlink-style Rassvet satellites. In the background, ULA’s Vulcan grounding spurs talk of shifting national-security launches to SpaceX, Site 31 at Baikonur is back online, Progress MS-33 docked manually, and cyber defenses expand to protect launches.}
Tory Bruno resigned as President and CEO of United Launch Alliance after nearly 12 years, during which he led the company through significant milestones including the Vulcan rocket's debut; John Elbon has been appointed interim CEO as ULA searches for a permanent replacement.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is increasing its focus on reusability by working on recovering the engine section of its Vulcan rocket and pursuing new projects, as part of its efforts to enhance space launch capabilities for national security missions.
Several residents in western Pennsylvania observed bright lights in the sky, which were identified as the launch of a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying military satellites for the U.S. Space Force.
Residents across Pennsylvania observed swirling lights in the sky following the launch of United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket from Florida, which deployed military satellites for the U.S. Space Force, marking the first operational flight of this new launcher.
United Launch Alliance successfully launched its first operational Vulcan rocket on a Space Force mission, marking a milestone as the first national security launch with this new launcher, which will replace older ULA rockets and support high-orbit military payloads, including classified satellites and advanced navigation technology.
United Launch Alliance successfully launched its first operational Vulcan rocket on a Space Force-sanctioned mission, deploying military satellites including a classified payload and an experimental navigation satellite, marking a significant milestone in ULA's transition to an all-Vulcan fleet and the replacement of older rockets.
Space Force's Vulcan rocket, relying solely on US-made engines, successfully launched the NTS-3 satellite to test advanced navigation and anti-jamming technologies, marking a significant step in reducing reliance on Russian engines and enhancing military satellite capabilities.
ULA is set to launch its first national security payload on the Vulcan rocket, marking its return to launching for the US Space Force after certification delays, with a mission to deploy two satellites including the innovative NTS-3 navigation satellite to enhance GPS capabilities.
United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket is set to conduct its first military mission on August 12 from Cape Canaveral, carrying Space Force satellites including the experimental NTS-3, marking a significant milestone after delays and certification, with the mission supporting advancements in GPS and PNT capabilities.
United Launch Alliance is exploring the concept of keeping the upper stages of its Vulcan Centaur rockets in space to perform additional tasks such as satellite maneuvering and countering threats. The company's CEO, Tory Bruno, envisions a fleet of reusable upper stages in orbit, potentially opening up new missions for the company. ULA is also working on increasing its launch cadence and expanding its infrastructure to support future missions, while facing delays with the payload for its upcoming rocket launch.
The Delta IV Heavy rocket took its final flight from Cape Canaveral, marking the end of a six-decade legacy of rockets. With a flawless prelaunch countdown, the rocket lifted off on time, carrying a classified satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office. This historic launch signifies the retirement of the Delta family of rockets, making way for the next generation led by the new Vulcan rocket.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched its final Delta IV Heavy rocket, marking the end of a 64-year history of Delta rocket launches. The rocket carried a classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and ignited a unique spectacle due to hydrogen buildup in the flame trench. ULA is retiring the Delta IV in favor of its newly introduced Vulcan rocket, designed specifically for national security space missions. The Delta rocket family has a storied legacy, with various versions and configurations contributing to significant space exploration milestones, and only a few Delta rockets are preserved in museums and rocket parks today.