Posts: 49325 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-13-2015 03:49 PM
Please use this topic to discuss United Launch Alliance's (ULA) next generation launch system, the Vulcan rocket.
cspg Member
Posts: 6329 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted 04-13-2015 04:24 PM
A Delta II on steroids?
The solids are back — quite a different design from the Delta IV.
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1744 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 04-13-2015 06:55 PM
The solids never left. The Atlas V solids are the basis for Vulcan's. Vulcan is more like Atlas V than Delta IV. Delta IV only provides the tank diameter.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 418 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 09-14-2018 05:49 PM
From what I read on Wikipedia, it says that ULA is going to discontinue the Delta rockets (including the heavy lift one) sometime in the near future; if that's the case, what kind of rockets will succeed them?
Editor's note: Threads merged.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49325 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-14-2018 05:51 PM
ULA's intends the Vulcan to replace both its Delta and Atlas launch vehicles.
Aeropix Member
Posts: 62 From: Dubai Registered: Apr 2010
posted 09-15-2018 07:53 AM
Marketing is important. I wonder if ULA intentionally chose both the name and logo for this vehicle to be closely matching "Falcon" of SpaceX.
I'm sure nobody will ever admit it but at first glance the logos look somewhat similar in color and shape, and "Vulcan" / "Falcon" similar sounding whether you buy into this theory or not.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49325 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-15-2018 09:24 AM
ULA employees submitted name suggestions, then the company then put it to a public vote. "Vulcan" was not on the original ballot but was added as a write-in suggestion. More than one million votes were received, leading to Vulcan being chosen.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 418 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 10-10-2018 06:46 PM
When the Delta IV and Atlas V rockets are retired, what will become of the launch complexes (i.e. 37 and 41)?
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1744 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 10-11-2018 07:55 AM
Vulcan will fly from 41. 37 will go back to the Air Force.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49325 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-29-2019 02:32 AM
From United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno on Twitter:
The age of Vulcan has begun... The first flight panel is being bump formed.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49325 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-25-2020 01:12 PM
United Launch Alliance (ULA) video release
Vulcan Centaur is built on more than 120 combined years of launch experience. An evolution of the flight proven, highly successful Atlas V and Delta IV vehicles, Vulcan Centaur introduces a balance of new technologies and innovative features to ensure a reliable and affordable space launch service. Launching in 2021.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49325 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-09-2021 10:53 AM
From ULA CEO Tory Bruno (via Twitter):
Now that is a beautiful sight! A pair of Blue Origin BE-4 engines installed on a Vulcan Centaur booster for pathfinding operations in preparation for launch in 2021.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49325 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-25-2021 03:22 PM
From ULA CEO Tory Bruno (via Twitter):
The Vulcan Centaur PTT [Pathfinder Tanking Test] booster was transferred from the SPOC [Spaceflight Processing Operations Center] to the pad today [Aug. 25] for a series of fueling tests in the coming weeks
oly Member
Posts: 1427 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 08-25-2021 08:18 PM
I wonder how many configuration changes are required between the Vulcan Centaur and Atlas launch vehicle infrastructure at the launch pad. While this test would have been scheduled into the launch site diary, configuration changes will probably reduce the chance of rescheduled launches finding an available slot that aligns with launch windows.
Is the plan for Vulcan Centaur to eventually be crew rated?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49325 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-25-2021 08:34 PM
The crew access tower was built to support both Atlas V and Vulcan, with the expectation that Starliner may move to Vulcan someday. Modifications to the Vertical Integration Facility were completed earlier such that it can support both vehicles.
The Vulcan launch platform is in use with the PTT now.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49325 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-04-2022 04:17 PM
From United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno (via Twitter):
Hmmm. What do you suppose this is? I wonder if it has anything to do with the Vulcan rocket?
Previously from Bruno:
Engines!! Vulcan Flight BE-4s heading to the build stand.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49325 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-02-2022 05:34 PM
United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno (via Twitter) has shared a photo of the first Blue Origin BE-4 engine being prepared for its flight on Vulcan:
Here is a pic of BE-4 flight 1. And that's just from the combustion chamber up. The bell is below the platform (and out of sight) for easy access for Blue Origin's skilled technicians to assemble this part of the engine.
And from earlier, a photo of the first Vulcan booster:
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 1244 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 07-02-2022 06:46 PM
I'm glad that ULA is starting to get the BE-4 and is starting the whole installation purpose. I wish them well with it, and I hope ULA is successful with the Vulcan Centaur.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49325 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-10-2022 11:59 AM
United Launch Alliance has pushed the debut launch of its new Vulcan rocket to early 2023 at the request of one of its customers, Reuters reports.
"We're not going to fly before the end of the year," ULA Chief Executive Tory Bruno said in an interview with two reporters.
He added ULA's customer Astrobotic, a robotics firm using Vulcan to launch a lunar lander, asked for the launch date to be moved to the first quarter of 2023 to buy more time to finish the lander's development.
Astrobotic's request officially axes ULA's previous goal to launch Vulcan by year's end, a target already imperiled by development delays with the rocket's engines that are being built by Amazon.com billionaire Jeff Bezos' space company, Blue Origin.
"The engines are later than our original schedule that had us flying in December, and it would put a lot of pressure on December," Bruno said.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49325 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-31-2022 10:12 PM
Blue Origin has delivered the first two BE-4 flight engines to United Launch Alliance for integration into the first Vulcan Centaur.
Flight Engine (FE) 2 is installed. FE1 will join it soon.
posted 04-13-2015 03:49 PM
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