posted 07-13-2023 02:50 PM               

Please use this topic to discuss United Launch Alliance's (ULA) first flight test of Vulcan, its next generation launch system, the Certification-1 (Cert-1) mission.

For Astrobotic's Peregrine Mission One, please see here for updates and discussion.

posted 07-13-2023 02:52 PM               

The hydrogen leak developed halfway through the test and grew over the course of four and a half minutes. The hydrogen collected in an enclosed space above the stage and found an ignition source before the test could be stopped.

The investigation found that the leak originated in the forward dome of the tank, which is made of very thin stainless steel, near a door at the top of the structure. A very detailed finite element model of that part of the tank revealed a "stress riser," or intensification of loads, because of the complicated geometry around that part of the dome. That had been missed in earlier, coarser analysis of the tank.

In addition, the Centaur 5 uses a new laser welding technology, rather than arcwelding on earlier Centaurs, for seams in the tank dome. The strength of the laser welds is less than what had been expected from earlier tests.

"The two things together — higher loads, somewhat lower strength in the welds — are what caused the crack to begin," Bruno said. The amount of testing of that specific Centaur may have also contributed to the crack, he added.

To correct the problem, ULA will add a layer of stainless steel around the door on the top of the dome and strips along the welds extending about 60 centimeters from it. "It's not a very sophisticated or high-tech or high-risk action," he said. "We simply need it to be just a little bit thicker."

posted 09-27-2023 04:52 PM               

Looks like Vulcan’s CERT1 (first flight) Centaur V in final assembly in the new CV IACO line at Decatur.

posted 10-24-2023 04:15 PM               

ULA's Vulcan rocket first certification mission (Cert1) is planned to launch on Sunday, Dec. 24, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

posted 12-08-2023 11:55 AM               

It is WDR [Wet Dress Rehearsal] day at SLC-41 in our countdown to Vulcan! Cryogenic propellant loading operations are underway on both the Vulcan booster stage and Centaur V upper stage to simulate a launch day and test the rocket and pad systems.

posted 12-10-2023 01:20 PM               

WDR update: Vehicle performed well. Ground system had a couple of (routine) issues, (being corrected). Ran the timeline long so we didn't quite finish. I'd like a FULL WDR before our first flight, so XMAS eve is likely out. Next Peregrine window is 8 Jan.

posted 12-12-2023 10:32 AM               

Vulcan rocket rolled back to the pad. Ground side leaks that interfered with completing Friday's WDR were fixed over the weekend.

The team is on console and vehicle preparations are underway for today's WDR.

posted 12-14-2023 12:37 PM               

First ULA Vulcan on track for launch in early January

Following a successful wet dress rehearsal, the launch of the United Launch Alliance first Vulcan flight test and certification mission (Cert-1) is planned for Jan. 8, 2024, pending range approval. The Vulcan VC2S rocket will launch from Space Launch Complex-41 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

The Cert-1 mission includes two payloads, the first Peregrine Lunar Lander, Peregrine Mission One (PM1) for Astrobotic as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative to deliver science and technology to the lunar surface. The second payload is the Enterprise Flight, a Celestis Memorial Spaceflights deep space Voyager mission.

posted 01-05-2024 10:07 AM               

Does anyone know the payload costs prior to launch and the cost paid to fly the payload?

posted 01-05-2024 10:22 AM               

So for United Launch Alliance (ULA), which was found in 2006, flying payloads on the first flight of the rockets it operates is part of its history.

According to Astrobotic CEO John Thornton, the cost of their Peregrine Mission One is approximately $100 million. The company has not released a break down of its expenses.

posted 01-05-2024 06:27 PM               

Wondering if you can see the inaugural Vulcan rocket? This visibility map shows when and where your best chances are to see the rocket as it lifts off Monday at 2:18 a.m. EST (0718 UTC) from Cape Canaveral.

posted 01-08-2024 12:02 AM               

Join us for live coverage in partnership with NASA.

Launch Date: Jan. 8, 2024
Launch Time: 2:18 a.m. ET

GO Vulcan! GO Centaur! GO Cert-1!