United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched its newest rocket system, the Vulcan, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Tuesday night. The launch took place at 8:56 p.m. Eastern daylight time and marked the first fully operational flight of the Vulcan rocket carrying two military satellites for the U.S. Space Force.
The initial stage of the mission was powered by two methane-fueled BE-4 engines, generating three million pounds of thrust. Three and a half minutes into flight, the second stage Centaur rocket ignited with two hydrogen-fueled Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C engines, continuing the journey to geosynchronous orbit above the Equator.
The Centaur system allows for heavy payloads to be placed into specialized orbits without requiring significant fuel use from the payload itself. In this mission, one classified satellite will undertake a secret operation while another will conduct tests on new navigation technology and atomic clocks aimed at improving GPS resilience against jamming.
ULA’s workforce involved in this launch are members of IAM Local 610 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Local 971 in Jupiter, Florida, and Local 44 in Decatur, Alabama. This event marks ULA’s 101st consecutive successful launch attributed to the efforts of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) members.
“This was the 101st successful launch of a ULA rocket system thanks to the hard work and dedication of this multi talented group of IAM Brothers, Sisters, and Siblings.”
