United Launch Alliance's First Vulcan Rocket Set to Launch on Christmas Eve

United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket carrying Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander and a payload from Celestis is set for launch over Christmas relying on completion of technical qualifications, with backup launch windows throughout Christmas and in January.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) plans to launch its first Vulcan Centaur rocket on Christmas Eve, carrying the Peregrine lunar lander developed by Astrobotic and a payload from Celestis, a company that sends small portions of cremated remains to space.
The launch schedule was chosen due to specific instrumental needs such as carefully controlled lighting conditions and radio communication with the Deep Space Network for the lunar lander. The launch window extends from December 24 to December 26, with a backup window in January.
Past launch delays have been attributed to technical difficulties such as engine explosions during testing. The upper stage of the rocket is currently undergoing qualification and should be ready by November.
The Peregrine lander involved in this launch is part of a $79.5 million NASA contract awarded to Astrobotic in 2019 under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. The lander will deliver scientific payloads to the northern part of the moon.
The first Vulcan mission is crucial for ULA's future, as the company aims to intensify its launch cadence with one launch every two weeks by mid-2025. ULA has secured a contract from Amazon to launch a portion of its Kuiper satellite internet mega-constellation.