Vulcan – Spaceflight Now

Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser prepares for pre-launch journey to the Cape

May 14, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

Many eyes are on both the payload and the rocket as the Department of Defense awaits its turn to launch missions with ULA’s Vulcan rocket.

ULA concludes six decades of Delta rocket flights with final Delta 4 Heavy mission

April 9, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The issue with a gaseous nitrogen pipeline that caused the late March launch scrub was able to be resolved, according to NASA and its contractor, Air Liquide. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 37 occurred at 12:53 p.m. EDT (1653 UTC).

‘Cleanest first flight,’ ULA president reflects on inaugural Vulcan launch and future of program

February 12, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

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.

Sierra Space unveils fully integrated Dream Chaser spaceplane amid testing campaign

February 2, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

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.

ULA marks success with the inaugural mission of its Vulcan rocket launching a Moon-bound robotic lander

January 8, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The launch of the methalox fueled rocket marks the beginning of a new chapter for the launch company. The mission launched the first American-made lunar lander in more than 50 years.

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.