United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched its first fully operational Vulcan rocket system on Tuesday night from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch, which took place at 8:56 p.m. Eastern daylight time, used two methane-fueled BE-4 engines to lift the rocket from pad 41 with three million pounds of thrust. This mission marked the inaugural U.S. Space Force sanctioned flight for ULA’s newest launch vehicle and carried two military satellites into orbit.
After three and a half minutes, 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 is designed to transport heavy payloads into complex orbits without requiring significant fuel use from the satellite itself.
From its position in space, one of the satellites will conduct a classified mission, while the other will test new navigation technology and atomic clocks that could help develop 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. According to ULA, “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.”
