United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched its first fully operational Vulcan rocket system on Tuesday night from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch took place at 8:56 p.m. Eastern daylight time, with the rocket carrying two military satellites for the U.S. Space Force.
The Vulcan rocket was powered by two methane-fueled BE-4 engines, generating three million pounds of thrust as it lifted off from pad 41. After three and a half minutes, the second stage Centaur rocket ignited its two hydrogen-fueled Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C engines to continue the journey into space above the Equator, placing the payload in geosynchronous orbit.
According to ULA, “The beauty of the Centaur system is the ability to lift heavy payloads into exotic orbits, like this mission, without requiring the payload satellite to use much of its own fuel to travel and park at the right spot.”
From their position in geosynchronous orbit, one of the satellites will conduct a classified mission while the other will test new navigation technology and atomic clocks that could support future jam-resistant GPS data for global navigation.
ULA’s workforce includes members of IAM Local 610 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Local 971 in Jupiter, Florida, and Local 44 in Decatur, Alabama.
“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,” according to ULA.
The successful flight marks another milestone for ULA as it continues its record of reliable launches for government and commercial customers.
