United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched its new Vulcan rocket system on Tuesday night from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch took place at 8:56 p.m. Eastern daylight time, with two BE-4 engines providing three million pounds of thrust to lift the rocket into orbit. This mission marked the first U.S. Space Force-sanctioned flight for ULA’s newest vehicle and carried two military satellites.
After the initial stage, two Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C engines powered the Centaur second stage, guiding it and its payload to geosynchronous orbit above the Equator. The Centaur system is designed to transport heavy payloads into specialized orbits while conserving satellite fuel needed for final positioning.
One of the satellites aboard this mission is classified and will undertake a secret operation. The other will conduct experimental tests involving navigation technology and atomic clocks, aiming to develop GPS data that resists jamming for global navigation.
ULA employees involved in this launch are members of IAM Local 610 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Local 971 in Jupiter, Florida, and Local 44 in Decatur, Alabama.
This flight was ULA’s 101st successful launch, an achievement attributed to union members’ work. “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.”
