Construction is nearly complete for the world's newest rocket-delivery vessel, United Launch Alliance's SpaceShip that will carry Atlas V and Vulcan rocket elements from the factory in Decatur, Alabama to launch sites in Florida and California. 

SpaceShip is larger and even more capable than RocketShip, which remains in service after a quarter-century of voyages. The addition of a second vessel meets ULA's needs as our launch rate increases.

Designed and built by Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, Louisiana and Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. in Bristol, Rhode Island, SpaceShip is a 356-foot-long (109-m)  roll-on/roll-off vessel classed for both ocean-going and river service. It enables the transport of two complete Vulcan rockets -- booster stage, interstage, Centaur V and payload fairings -- in a single trip.

Both the SpaceShip and RocketShip are highly maneuverable, unique custom-built rocket transport ships and the only U.S. flagged ships with the versatility to navigate both rivers and open ocean. They feature living quarters and dining areas for the crews, a heli-pad on the top deck, a below-deck machine shop and sophisticated computers and navigational aids on the bridges.

The ships are ULA's primary method for moving launch vehicles from the factory in Decatur, Alabama to either Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, or Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The trips to Cape Canaveral is approximately 1,700 miles one-way and Vandenberg, via the Panama Canal, is nearly 9,000 miles.

RocketShip, formerly the Delta Mariner, began transporting Delta IV cores to both sites 25 years ago, started carrying Atlas V stages in 2011 and has served all Vulcan deliveries to date. Vulcan stages are too large for air or road shipment, making SpaceShip a welcome addition to the fleet.