Vulcan Centaur
Vulcan Centaur is a two-stage-to-orbit, expendable, heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by United Launch Alliance (ULA). It is principally designed to meet launch demands for the U.S. government's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program for use by the United States Space Force and U.S. intelligence agencies for national security satellite launches. It will replace both of ULA's existing heavy-lift launch systems (Atlas V and Delta IV Heavy) due to their retirement. Vulcan Centaur will also be used for commercial launches, including an order for 38 launches from Kuiper Systems.
Vulcan Centaur in VC2S configuration ahead of its maiden flight | |
| Function | Launch vehicle, partial reuse planned |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | United Launch Alliance |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Cost per launch | Approx. US$100–200 million |
| Size | |
| Height | 61.6 m (202 ft) |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Mass | 546,700 kg (1,205,300 lb) |
| Stages | 2 with 0, 2, 4 or 6 boosters |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to low Earth orbit (28.7°) | |
| Mass | 27,200 kg (60,000 lb) |
| Payload to geostationary transfer orbit (27.0°) | |
| Mass | 15,300 kg (33,700 lb), |
| Payload to geostationary orbit | |
| Mass | 7,000 kg (15,000 lb) |
| Payload to trans-lunar injection | |
| Mass | 12,100 kg (26,700 lb) |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Operational |
| Launch sites | |
| Total launches | 1 |
| Success(es) | 1 |
| First flight | 8 January 2024 |
| Boosters | |
| No. boosters | 0, 2, 4, or 6 |
| Powered by | GEM-63XL |
| Maximum thrust | 2,201.7 kN (495,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | HTPB, Al / AP |
| First stage | |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Powered by | 2 × BE-4 |
| Maximum thrust | 4,900 kN (1,100,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | CH4 / LOX |
| Second stage – Centaur V | |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Powered by | 2 × RL10 |
| Maximum thrust | 212 kN (48,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 453.8 s (4.450 km/s) |
| Propellant | LH2 / LOX |
Development of the Vulcan rocket started in 2014, largely in response to growing competition from SpaceX and a requirement to phase out the Russian RD-180 used on the Atlas V. Initially scheduled for an inaugural flight in 2020, the program was delayed by over three years due to problems with the development of the BE-4 engine and the new Centaur upper stage. Vulcan Centaur launched for the first time on 8 January 2024, successfully carrying Astrobotic Technology's Peregrine lunar lander, the first mission on NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.