ULA’s Vulcan Rocket Soars in Second Test Flight Despite Booster Anomaly

On Friday, the United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched its next-generation Vulcan rocket in a crucial second test flight, a key step towards securing clearance for high-priority national security missions for the U.S. Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office.

As the Vulcan ascended, one of its two solid-propellant strap-on boosters, provided by Northrop Grumman, experienced an anomaly, raising concerns during its journey through the lower atmosphere. Despite this setback, the rocket successfully reached orbit. ULA CEO Tory Bruno noted, 'The trajectory was nominal throughout,' but acknowledged the issue with the solid rocket booster (SRB), stating further investigation would take place post-mission.

The Vulcan rocket, measuring 202 feet tall and weighing 1.5 million pounds, ignited its powerful engines at 7:25 a.m. EDT. The roaring liftoff unleashed approximately 2 million pounds of thrust, effortlessly propelling the rocket into the sky from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Observers noted a concerning spectacle as sparks and debris appeared to emanate from the right-side SRB during the ascent, although the rocket maintained its trajectory. The boosters burned out and were ejected approximately two minutes after launch, allowing the two Blue Origin-built BE-4 engines, each producing 550,000 pounds of thrust, to continue the ascent.

Once the initial stage completed its burn, the rocket transitioned to its Centaur 5 upper stage, powered by two Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C engines. This upper stage demonstrated a critical capability—re-ignition in space—necessary for military payloads that require complex trajectories.

Originally, ULA had intended to launch the Dream Chaser, a new cargo spacecraft developed by Sierra Space, but due to delays, a dummy payload was instead utilized for this mission. This 'mass simulator,' along with additional technology demonstration experiments and instrumentation, allowed ULA to gather extensive data during the 54-minute flight.

Bruno previously highlighted that the primary objective of this flight was to gain further certification, paving the way for future national security missions. However, specifics regarding the solid fuel booster issue's potential impact on the certification process remain uncertain.

Looking ahead, ULA has plans for two additional missions later this year deemed 'urgent.' These national security missions typically involve sensitive satellite deployments vital for tasks such as imaging, communications relay, and electronic surveillance.

The Vulcan rocket represents a transformative leap for ULA, replacing the retired Delta 4 and the iconic Atlas series, which has served U.S. space interests for decades. Currently, ULA retains 15 Atlas 5 rockets, earmarked for key missions, including launching Amazon’s Kuiper internet relay satellites and Boeing's Starliner crew vehicle.

With a robust order book boasting over 70 missions before its first flight and a promising trajectory ahead, ULA’s Vulcan rocket positions the company for a sustained era of growth. Unlike its predecessor, the Atlas 5—which relied on Russian engines—the fully American-built Vulcan system utilizes Blue Origin’s BE-4, ensuring a more independent launch architecture.

The Vulcan rocket’s operational costs are projected to be less than $100 million, which keeps it competitive against SpaceX’s Falcon rockets, making it an appealing choice for both commercial and national defense customers.

Bruno indicated that upcoming missions will cater directly to the Space Force’s needs, underscoring the urgency of continuing Vulcan’s flight testing and eventual deployment for strategic operations. As ULA transitions toward a future defined by the Vulcan rocket, it seeks to solidify its reputation as a premier launch provider in an increasingly competitive aerospace market.