United Launch Alliance successfully completes second certification flight of Vulcan Rocket

United Launch Alliance (ULA) achieved a significant milestone on October 4 with the successful launch of its second certification flight (Cert-2) for the next-generation Vulcan rocket.

The launch took place at 7:25 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking a pivotal step toward full certification for national security missions.

“The success of Vulcan’s second certification flight marks a new era of space technology, addressing the growing demands of space access while ensuring our nation’s continued assured access to space,” said Tory Bruno, ULA’s president and CEO.

Bruno acknowledged a minor observation on one of the rocket’s solid boosters, which is under review, but expressed satisfaction with the overall performance, noting the precise orbital insertion.

The Cert-2 mission carried out key experiments and demonstrations to showcase the capabilities of ULA’s Centaur V upper stage. Centaur V, a highly advanced component, provides 2.5 times the energy and 450 times the endurance of its predecessors, enabling complex orbital insertions for a range of national security, civil, and commercial missions.

“Vulcan is built on the foundation of more than 130 years of combined launch experience with Atlas and Delta rockets, and it’s powered by a dedicated national workforce committed to innovation,” said Mark Peller, ULA’s Vice President of Vulcan Development.

The Cert-2 mission is the second of two certification flights required by the U.S. Space Force.

ULA will now work with the Space Force to review the data and confirm Vulcan’s readiness for future national security launches. Once certified, the Vulcan rocket will be eligible to launch critical missions for the U.S. government.

In addition to national security missions, Vulcan has already secured more than 70 launches, including 38 missions for Amazon’s Project Kuiper. ULA’s commitment to innovation is reflected in its plans for future Vulcan upgrades, including non-propulsive recovery of engines, aimed at enhancing the rocket’s reusability.

With Vulcan’s successful launch, ULA continues to solidify its position as the nation’s leading provider of reliable and precise launch services, advancing space capabilities for customers across a range of sectors.