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3d ago

ULA’s Vulcan Rocket Readies for First Space Force Mission

Completion of reuse design reviews alongside infrastructure revamps boosts ULA’s readiness for next week’s Space Force mission.

United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan VC2S rocket launches its first certification mission from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, Jan. 8, 2024. (U.S. Space Force photo by DeAnna Murano)
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Overview

  • The USSF-106 mission is set to liftoff next week carrying the NTS-3 experimental navigation satellite into geostationary orbit.
  • Vulcan earned U.S. Space Force certification in March after corrective work on a solid rocket booster issue from its October flight.
  • ULA has finished the critical design review for its SMART Reuse booster recovery system and plans experimental reuse flights between 2026 and 2027.
  • Upgrades at Cape Canaveral’s SLC-41 and Vandenberg’s SLC-3, including new rail tracks and integration facilities, are on track to support a twice-monthly launch cadence by year-end.
  • Blue Origin’s BE-4 engines are performing to specification on Vulcan and ULA has arrangements to fly up to six Sierra Space Dream Chaser missions.