United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched its first fully operational Vulcan rocket system from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Tuesday night. The launch, which took place at 8:56 p.m. Eastern daylight time, used two methane-fueled BE-4 engines to lift the rocket off pad 41 with three million pounds of thrust. The mission carried two military satellites for the U.S. Space Force, marking the first sanctioned flight of ULA’s newest launch vehicle.
After three and a half minutes, the second stage Centaur rocket ignited using two hydrogen-fueled Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C engines. This stage guided the payload to geosynchronous orbit above the Equator. The Centaur system is designed to transport heavy payloads into complex orbits while minimizing fuel use by the satellite itself.
From this position in space, one of the satellites will carry out a classified mission. The other will conduct experimental tests involving new navigation technology and atomic clocks, which could contribute to developing more resilient GPS data for global navigation.
The workforce supporting ULA’s operations 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 a statement released by those involved in the project.
