United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched its first fully operational Vulcan rocket system from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Tuesday night. The launch took place at 8:56 p.m. Eastern daylight time, with two methane-fueled BE-4 engines providing three million pounds of thrust to lift the rocket and its payload into orbit.
The mission carried two military satellites for the U.S. Space Force, marking the first sanctioned flight of ULA’s newest launch vehicle by the agency. After three and a half minutes, the second stage Centaur rocket, powered by two hydrogen-fueled Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C engines, continued carrying the satellites toward geosynchronous orbit above the Equator.
One of the satellites is fully classified and will conduct a secret mission. The other satellite is designed to test new navigation technology and atomic clocks that could contribute to developing jam-resistant GPS data for global navigation.
ULA’s workforce involved in this mission are members of IAM Local 610 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Local 971 in Jupiter, Florida, and Local 44 in Decatur, Alabama.
“This was the 101st successful launch of a ULA rocket system thanks to the hard work and dedication of this multi talented group of IAM Brothers, Sisters, and Siblings.”
