United Launch Alliance (ULA) has successfully rolled out their second Vulcan Centaur rocket to Space Launch Complex-41 (SLC-41) at Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Sept. 30, 2024. The rocket is now undergoing preparations for its second-ever launch, scheduled for Friday (Oct. 4). One of the key tests the rocket will undergo is a wet dress rehearsal (WDR), where it will be loaded with a million pounds of cryogenic propellants and go through a complete countdown procedure.
If all goes well with the WDR and other checkouts, the Vulcan Centaur will launch from SLC-41 on Friday, with a three-hour window that opens at 6:00 a.m. EDT (1000 GMT). This launch will mark Cert-2, the second of two test flights needed to certify the new rocket for use by the U.S. Space Force. The first test flight took place in January, successfully launching Astrobotic Technology’s Peregrine moon lander into Earth’s orbit.
Unlike the first mission, Cert-2 will not carry any operational spacecraft. Instead, it will include an inert payload and demonstrations of future Centaur V technologies. Originally, Cert-2 was planned to launch Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser space plane on its first orbital flight. However, Sierra Space needed more time to prepare Dream Chaser for its debut, so the mission has been shifted to include other technologies.
ULA CEO Tory Bruno expressed the company’s eagerness to work with Sierra Space and launch Dream Chaser when it is ready. Despite the change in payload, the Vulcan Centaur is still set to make an important test flight as part of the certification process for future missions.
As we eagerly await the upcoming launch, it is important to recognize the significance of these test flights in advancing space exploration and technology. The Vulcan Centaur represents a new generation of rockets that will play a crucial role in future space missions. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development in space exploration.
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