United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched its first fully operational Vulcan rocket system from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Tuesday night. The launch took place at 8:56 p.m. Eastern daylight time, with the rocket carrying two military satellites for the U.S. Space Force.
The mission began with two methane-fueled BE-4 engines generating three million pounds of thrust as the rocket lifted off from pad 41. About three and a half minutes into the flight, two hydrogen-fueled Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C engines powered the Centaur second stage, sending it toward geosynchronous orbit above the Equator.
The Centaur system is designed to carry heavy payloads into complex orbits, allowing satellites to conserve their own fuel when reaching their designated positions in space. One of the satellites aboard this mission will conduct a classified operation, while the other will test new navigation technology and atomic clocks that could support future jam-resistant GPS data for global navigation.
ULA’s workforce 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.”
