There are plans from United Launch Alliance on an upcoming mid-September test flight for its latest spaceship, the Vulcan, making this the second launch of its next-gen rocket. Success on this second test flight, considering that it proceeds flawlessly and without a hitch, could help improve its chances of being operational as early as late 2024, onward future contracts.
Moreover, it would also reportedly help its chances of securing military missions in the future, paving the way for its regular run.
ULA Targets September Test Flight for Vulcan Rocket
United Launch Alliance
ULA has set a target date for the second test flight of the Vulcan rocket, one that would carry a dummy payload in place of the Sierra Space Dream Chaser, according to a report from Ars Technica. This will follow the debut test flight of the next-gen rocket done in January, a feat that was regarded to be 'near-perfect,' and was a significant moment for the company.
There is much importance placed on this second test flight for the Vulcan as it could ensure the company's future operations and lead to the rocket being allowed for regular missions.
Unlike its second mission which will carry a dummy payload, its first test flight carried an actual payload in the form of a commercial lunar lander.
The second test flight's success for Vulcan would open up ULA to proceeding with its first military mission before the year ends, according to the report. Not only that, ULA's existing military contracts with the US Pentagon, which is made up of as many as 25 space missions, would be checked off its list.
Space Force's goal is to finish all of these by 2027, all centering on ULA's Vulcan rocket.
United Launch Alliance's Next-Gen Rocket
United Launch Alliance is known for its last year's announcement of offering the company up for sale, best known as the brainchild of both Boeing and Lockheed Martin to focus on space missions. Tory Bruno, ULA's CEO, previously talked about the potential of the renowned American space company, focusing on its next-generation rockets, Vulcan and the Centaur V.
Despite not having named any buyers or potential companies in talks with, ULA continues with the development of its future rockets, especially with the Vulcan spaceship which saw its first test flight commence this January. It is known that Vulcan's first test flight was originally delayed for its plans to launch on Christmas, later pushed to January which led to its first outing.
ULA's Vulcan is still one of its top priorities at present, with the company working on the machine to make it flight-ready, one that would proceed without any problems to face. Mid-September would be the next target schedule of the Vulcan rocket, with the second test flight of the company's success paving the way for its future operations and military missions flooding in.
