United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched its first fully operational Vulcan rocket system from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Tuesday night. The launch, which occurred at 8:56 p.m. Eastern daylight time, marked the beginning of a new phase for ULA as it carried two military satellites into orbit for the first U.S. Space Force-sanctioned flight of the Vulcan vehicle.
The initial stage was powered by two methane-fueled BE-4 engines, generating three million pounds of thrust. After three and a half minutes, two hydrogen-fueled Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C engines took over to propel the Centaur second stage and its payload toward geosynchronous orbit above the Equator.
One satellite aboard will carry out a classified mission, while the other is set to test new navigation technology and atomic clocks that could contribute to more resilient GPS data for global navigation.
The workforce behind this launch 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 ULA.
