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United Launch Alliance

All articles tagged with #united launch alliance

spaceindustry1 year ago

"ULA's Ambitious Plan: Reusing Vulcan Rocket in Space"

United Launch Alliance is exploring the concept of keeping the upper stages of its Vulcan Centaur rockets in space to perform additional tasks such as satellite maneuvering and countering threats. The company's CEO, Tory Bruno, envisions a fleet of reusable upper stages in orbit, potentially opening up new missions for the company. ULA is also working on increasing its launch cadence and expanding its infrastructure to support future missions, while facing delays with the payload for its upcoming rocket launch.

via Defense One|
#reusable-upper-stage#satellite-maneuvering#space-industry
spaceaviation1 year ago

"Boeing's Starliner: Ready for Crewed Test Flight Launch in May"

Boeing's CST-100 Starliner, named Calypso, was transported from Kennedy Space Center to Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in preparation for its Crew Flight Test (CFT) to the International Space Station in May. The spacecraft, set to carry astronauts for the first time, was greeted by NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. The rollout marks a significant milestone in the spacecraft's journey, with the crew module undergoing fueling and late cargo loading before being lifted atop an Atlas 5 rocket for integration. The Starliner-1 crew, potentially including Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, also observed the event, hinting at the future crew rotation flight in 2025.

via Spaceflight Now|
#boeing#cst-100-starliner#nasa
space-and-rocket-launches1 year ago

"Delta IV Heavy: A Historic Finale and Retirement Recap"

United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket completes its final mission, Rocket Lab plans to reuse a previously flown Electron rocket first stage tank, Virgin Orbit's IP library is available for licensing at $3 million, Virgin Galactic countersues Boeing over a project to develop a new mothership aircraft, and Ursa Major signs a contract with the US Navy to develop and test solid fuel rocket engines.

via Ars Technica|
#rocket-lab#space-and-rocket-launches#united-launch-alliance
spacetechnology1 year ago

"Final Flight: Delta IV Heavy Retires After 64 Years of Space Missions"

The Delta IV Heavy rocket made its final flight, successfully launching a top-secret payload for the National Reconnaissance Office before retiring after 16 missions. United Launch Alliance is now focusing on its new Vulcan rocket, while the future of the launch site, SLC-37B, remains uncertain. The next ULA launch will be Boeing's Starliner capsule to the International Space Station.

via TESLARATI|
#delta-iv-heavy#national-reconnaissance-office#rocket-launch
space-exploration1 year ago

"Final Delta IV Heavy Rocket Retires in Spectacular Classified Satellite Launch"

United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket made its final launch on Tuesday, retiring after 16 flights. Despite its high cost and low flight rate, the rocket demonstrated the potential for commercial heavy lift rockets. Known for its spectacular launches and fireball phenomenon due to its RS-68 rocket engines, the Delta IV Heavy was once the most powerful operational rocket in the world. While it was surpassed by other rockets, it offered a glimpse of a more sustainable exploration architecture through distributed launch. The future of space exploration lies in companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, which are developing plans for multiple launches and propellant depots to create a sustainable plan for space exploration.

via Ars Technica|
#delta-iv-heavy#future-of-space-launch#rocket-retirement
space1 year ago

"Delta 4 Heavy: The Fiery Final Flight"

United Launch Alliance launched its 16th and final triple-core Delta 4 Heavy rocket, carrying a classified spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office. The launch marked the end of a storied era in U.S. rocketry, with the Delta 4 family dating back to the dawn of the space age. The satellite's mission and details were kept classified, but it is believed to be an advanced signals intelligence satellite bound for a geosynchronous orbit. The retirement of the Delta 4 Heavy paves the way for United Launch Alliance's transition to the next-generation Vulcan rockets.

via CBS News|
#delta-4-heavy#national-reconnaissance-office#rocket-launch
spacetechnology1 year ago

"Delta Rocket Family's Fiery Finale Marks End of an Era"

The final flight of United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying a classified spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office. This marked the end of a 389-mission legacy dating back to 1960. The rocket's successful liftoff and deployment of the payload into a high-altitude orbit signaled the conclusion of the Delta rocket family's era, as ULA transitions to its new-generation Vulcan rocket.

via Ars Technica|
#delta-iv-heavy#national-reconnaissance-office#rocket-launch
space-exploration1 year ago

"End of an Era: ULA's Final Delta IV Heavy Rocket Launches After 64 Years"

United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched its final Delta IV Heavy rocket, marking the end of a 64-year history of Delta rocket launches. The rocket carried a classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and ignited a unique spectacle due to hydrogen buildup in the flame trench. ULA is retiring the Delta IV in favor of its newly introduced Vulcan rocket, designed specifically for national security space missions. The Delta rocket family has a storied legacy, with various versions and configurations contributing to significant space exploration milestones, and only a few Delta rockets are preserved in museums and rocket parks today.

via Space.com|
#delta-iv-heavy#rocket-launch#space-exploration
space-technology1 year ago

"Vulcan Launch Delayed Until Fall Due to Payload Questions"

After the successful debut of the Vulcan rocket, United Launch Alliance faces uncertainty over its next launch due to payload readiness, particularly the Dream Chaser spacecraft for Sierra Space. The company aims to obtain certification from the Space Force for national security payloads, but the spacecraft's potential delay may lead to alternative launch options. Additionally, ULA is eager to exit the certification phase and begin flying contracted missions, but the availability of BE-4 rocket engines remains a pacing item in the supply chain. ULA has reportedly sought an expedited certification process from the Space Systems Command based on the rocket's initial launch data, similar to SpaceX's single-flight certification for the Falcon Heavy rocket in 2018.

via Ars Technica|
#certification#sierra-space#space-force
space-exploration1 year ago

"Upcoming Space Coast Launches: A Schedule Overview"

The Space Coast set a new launch record in 2023 with 72 orbital missions and is on track for a near twice-weekly launch rate by the end of 2024, with 22 launches already completed this year. Upcoming launches include the final Delta IV Heavy rocket launch, Boeing CST-100 Starliner mission, and SpaceX Falcon Heavy missions to investigate Jupiter's moon Europa and deliver payloads to the moon. Additionally, there are plans for Department of Defense missions, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket launch, and NASA's Artemis II and III missions in the coming years.

via Orlando Sentinel|
#cape-canaveral-space-force-station#kennedy-space-center#space-coast
spacetechnology1 year ago

"Upcoming Rocket Launches: Delta IV Heavy, SpaceX, and More Updates"

The final launch of United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket for the NROL-70 national security mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, has been delayed due to a gaseous nitrogen pipeline ground pump failure. The next launch attempt is TBD, with potential availability on Monday, April 1. The massive rocket, known for its power and size, will carry a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. Interested viewers can follow live coverage and updates on the launch through FLORIDA TODAY's Space Team.

via Florida Today|
#cape-canaveral#delta-iv-heavy#nrol-70
spacescience1 year ago

"Final Delta IV Heavy Rocket Launch Scrubbed Moments Before Liftoff"

The final launch of the United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office has been postponed to Friday due to an issue with the gaseous nitrogen pipeline. The launch will mark the end of a 64-year run for the Delta rocket fleet and is set to carry a classified payload into space. The ULA has not disclosed the nature of the payload, but it is likely a sophisticated satellite. The launch has faced delays due to unfavorable weather conditions, and the ULA is making way for its new Vulcan Centaur rocket as the Delta IV Heavy and Atlas V are reaching the end of their careers.

via Livescience.com|
#cape-canaveral-space-force-station#delta-iv-heavy#nrol-70-mission
space1 year ago

"Final Launch of Delta IV Heavy Rocket Scrubbed, Ending Era of Delta Rockets on Space Coast"

The final launch of United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket, scheduled for March 28, 2024, was scrubbed due to an issue with the gaseous nitrogen pipeline. The launch is now set for March 29, and it will be the 16th and final mission for the Delta IV Heavy, marking the end of the Delta rocket family's six-decade legacy. The upcoming launch will carry a classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, strengthening the agency's intelligence capabilities.

via Space.com|
#delta-iv-heavy#nrol-70-mission#rocket-launch
spacetechnology1 year ago

"Watch Live: United Launch Alliance's Final Delta IV Heavy Rocket Liftoff"

United Launch Alliance's Delta Heavy IV rocket will launch for the final time from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying a classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The nature of the payload remains a mystery, but it is likely a sophisticated spy satellite. The launch can be watched live on Space.com, and the retirement of the Delta IV Heavy paves the way for ULA's new Vulcan Centaur rocket.

via Space.com|
#delta-iv-heavy#nrol-70#space-launch
space-technology1 year ago

"Delta IV Heavy: The End of an Era in Spaceflight"

United Launch Alliance's final Delta IV Heavy rocket, the world's most expensive commercially produced rocket, is set to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station with a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. The rocket, powered by liquid hydrogen, has been a cornerstone for the US military's space program for over 20 years but is being retired to make way for the less expensive and higher-performance Vulcan rocket. The Delta IV Heavy's unique hydrogen-fueled engines create a dramatic fireball during launch, and its legacy includes launching national security missions and NASA spacecraft.

via Ars Technica|
#delta-iv-heavy#liquid-hydrogen#rocket-launch