The second United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket stands fully assembled for launch no earlier than Oct. 4 to fulfill flight test obligations and complete its certification process with the U.S. Space Force to carry national security payloads starting later this year.

Liftoff will occur from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida during a launch window of 6 to 9 a.m. EDT.

This second Certification (Cert-2) launch will demonstrate Vulcan's high-energy rocket architecture by achieving an Earth-escape trajectory and placing the Centaur V with an inert, non-deployable payload into deep space where it will orbit the sun for the rest of time. Cert-2 follows Vulcan's successful inaugural launch on Jan. 8, 2024.

The mission will further demonstrate the operational capabilities of Vulcan, perform unique experiments and run complex demonstrations for potential incorporation into future missions. 

"After the key objectives necessary for certification are completed, the mission will evaluate additional changes to the design of the upper stage and how it is operated over long coast periods to further increase its endurance," said Mark Peller, ULA's senior vice president, Vulcan Development and Advanced Programs.

This Vulcan rocket, designated V-002, was built in ULA's unique rocket factory in Decatur, Alabama, then shipped to the Florida launch site aboard the R/S RocketShip.

The launch campaign at the Vertical Integration Facility-G (VIF-G) began Aug. 10 when the Vulcan booster stage was hoisted aboard the mobile Vulcan Launch Platform (VLP). The stage measures 109 feet (33 meters) in length and 17.7 feet (5.4 meters) in diameter. Made of internal orthogrid aluminum construction to create a structurally stable stage, it is equipped with two BE-4 main engines, each producing approximately 550,000 pounds (2.45 mega-Newtons) of thrust to lift Vulcan out of the atmosphere on the way to orbit.

A pair of Graphite Epoxy Motor (GEM) 63XL solid rocket boosters (SRBs) were added to the sides of the first stage on Aug. 13 and Aug. 14. Measuring 63 inches (1.6 meters) in diameter and 72 feet (21 meters) in length, each motor is filled with over 100,000 pounds (45,360 kg) of aluminized solid propellant to deliver 463,249 pounds (2.1 mega-Newtons) of thrust at its peak.

Together, the methane-fueled main engines and SRBs will provide the 2 million pounds (8.9 kilo-Newtons) of thrust generated at liftoff to power Vulcan off the launch pad.

The high-performance Centaur V upper stage -- 38.5 feet (11.7 meters) long and 17.7 feet (5.4 meters) in diameter -- was installed atop the rocket on Aug. 17. With its pressure-stabilized stainless-steel tanks, the cryogenic stage features two RL10C-1-1A engines, each producing 23,825 pounds (106 kilo-Newtons) of thrust to shape the mission's final orbital destination.

The Cert-2 payload, already encapsulated in the composite fairing measuring 17.7 feet (5.4 meters) in diameter and 51 feet (15.5 meters) in length, was moved from the off-site preparation facility to the VIF-G adjacent to SLC-41 on Sept. 21. 

ULA technicians attached the lifting sling to the payload and hoisted it into the VIF for connection to the Centaur V upper stage of the Vulcan rocket, which now stands fully assembled at 202 feet (61.6 meters) tall. 
 
Integrated testing and a complete electrical checkout of the combined rocket and payload will be completed in the coming days while final readiness reviews and closeout activities are performed in preparation for rollout of the rocket on its VLP to SLC-41 for a Wet Dress Rehearsal, followed by the countdown and liftoff. 

This is the second of two flight tests required for ULA's certification process with the U.S. Space Force. ULA has worked in close partnership with the Space Force throughout the design, development, testing and production of the next-generation rocket for assured access to space. The Space Force selected Vulcan as the No. 1 offeror and "best value" choice in the Phase 2 National Security Space Launch (NSSL) competition. 

Vulcan incorporates the best attributes of the venerable Atlas and Delta heritage rocket families and introduces innovative technologies and streamlined processes, creating one launch solution that meets the demanding requirements for launching critical national security missions to the full spectrum of orbits.

Learn more about the Vulcan Cert-2 launch
See our Cert-2 photo album