ULA sets May 4 date for first Vulcan launch
Posted: Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 9:08 AM ET (1408 GMT)
United Launch Alliance has scheduled the first launch of its Vulcan Centaur rocket for no earlier than May 4. ULA CEO Tory Bruno announced the new launch date in a call with reporters late Thursday to provide an update on preparations for the mission. That date is based on planned testing of the rocket, including a wet dress rehearsal and static-fire test, as well as qualification testing of the BE-4 engine used on the rocket's first stage. Bruno said those qualification tests turned up an issue with one engine that had slightly higher performance than expected from its main oxygen pump, but an investigation found it to be only unit-to-unit variation. The launch date is also driven by the requirements of the primary payload, Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander, which has a window of only a few days each month. With a date set for the Vulcan launch, Bruno said it can now assess its effects on other ULA missions, such as the Atlas 5 launch of Boeing's Starliner crew capsule scheduled for April.
United Launch Alliance has scheduled the first launch of its Vulcan Centaur rocket for no earlier than May 4. ULA CEO Tory Bruno announced the new launch date in a call with reporters late Thursday to provide an update on preparations for the mission. That date is based on planned testing of the rocket, including a wet dress rehearsal and static-fire test, as well as qualification testing of the BE-4 engine used on the rocket's first stage. Bruno said those qualification tests turned up an issue with one engine that had slightly higher performance than expected from its main oxygen pump, but an investigation found it to be only unit-to-unit variation. The launch date is also driven by the requirements of the primary payload, Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander, which has a window of only a few days each month. With a date set for the Vulcan launch, Bruno said it can now assess its effects on other ULA missions, such as the Atlas 5 launch of Boeing's Starliner crew capsule scheduled for April.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
US and UK militaries conduct coordinated satellite maneuvers
Posted: Sun, Sep 21 8:30 AM ET (1230 GMT) Blue Origin retires a New Shepard capsule after payload flight
Posted: Sun, Sep 21 8:25 AM ET (1225 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, October 14
US Congress committee investigating Musk-owned Starlink over Myanmar scam centres
AFP — 7:50 am ET (1150 GMT) Morgan Stanley calls Rocket Lab a SpaceX alternative as it lifts price target
Investing.com — 7:48 am ET (1148 GMT) SpaceX’s Starship rocket lifts off in latest test flight as Musk eyes Mars
France 24 — 7:46 am ET (1146 GMT) SpaceX Replicates Starship Launch Success as US Races to Moon
Bloomberg News — 7:46 am ET (1146 GMT) SpaceX successfully tests 11th Starship flight in Texas
UPI — 7:46 am ET (1146 GMT) |
