On July 14, United Launch Alliance (ULA) President and CEO Tory Bruno hosted a round table talk on the update of its Vulcan Centaur rocket. The spacecraft engineering company confirms that the rocket will be launched from the Space Coast before the year ends.
Failed Launch Attempts
The Vulcan Centaur rocket was developed under the collaboration between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. An engine test called Flight Readiness Firing (FRF) was scheduled to take place on May 25 at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Force Station in Florida. However, it was canceled due to a failure in the engine ignition system. It was discovered that a hydrogen leakage ignited in a fireball, destroyed the rocket's upper stage, and ultimately damaged the test stand.
Bruno confirms that the technical issue has finally been well understood, and its development is essentially done. According to him, all the components of Vulcan Centaur, including the booster, have been fully qualified.
The maiden launch will also be the rocket's first certification mission. It will carry payloads such as a commercial lunar lander developed by Astrobotic Technology of Pittsburgh and Amazon's demonstration satellites for its Kuiper satellite internet network. It will also have the ashes of people who wished to be buried in outer space as part of the memorial service offered by Celestis.
The second launch will carry the space plane Dream Chaser developed by Sierra Space. In its current version, Dream Chaser does not have people but will deliver cargo to and from the International Space Station.
The update was released by ULA right after the rocket's license was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Once the first two test flights succeed, the Vulcan Centaur will replace the company's other launch vehicles, including Atlas V and Delta IV. The U.S. Space Force will also review the data to certify the rocket, giving it more opportunities, such as launching the first national security mission. In the future, ULA plans to launch 25 missions in 2025 with combined missions for the government and commercial customers.
Competition in the Rocket Industry
In the past years, the business of spacecraft launching and sending astronauts to orbit has been dominated by Elon Musk's Space X. The rocket company offers services at lower prices and a prolific launch rate, which is of great advantage to NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and other satellite operators. However, these customers, especially the Space Force, do not want to depend on a single company.
A decade ago, ULA used to control the monopoly on national security launches using its Atlas and Delta IV spacecraft. These launching vehicles had almost flawless flight rockets. However, it had no commercial customers then because the rockets were very expensive.
The Space Force required ULA to send two Vulcan missions before allowing the company to use the rocket for spy satellites and other payloads intended for national security. Delaying the completion of the first two missions means that ULA must wait for that certification.
RELATED ARTICLE : ULA Prepares Test Fire of Its Vulcan Centaur Rocket; Second Attempt Since the Failed Launch Due to Engine Anomaly
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