Taxus Baccata

by | Mar 15, 2018 | Taxus Baccata

How Can We Help?
You are here:
< Back

This is a list of launches made by the Vulcan Centaur rocket, first launched January 8, 2024.

Notable missions

Peregrine Mission One

Main article: Peregrine Mission One

Peregrine Mission One, or the Peregrine Lunar Lander, was a lunar lander built by Astrobotic Technology, selected as a part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS). It was launched successfully on the maiden flight of Vulcan Centaur on January 8, 2024 at 2:18 am EST [1] by United Launch Alliance (ULA) aboard a Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle on its maiden flight. The lander carried multiple payloads, with a total payload mass capacity of 90 kg.[2] However, following a fuel leak with the spacecraft, unrelated to the launch vehicle, the lander failed in its attempt. The launch vehicle however made a very successful introduction into service following the launch.

Launch statistics

Launch sites

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
  •   Cape Canaveral SLC-41
  •   Vandenberg SLC-3E

Launch outcomes

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
  •   Failure
  •   Partial failure
  •   Success
  •   Planned

Rocket configurations

2.5
5
7.5
10
12.5
15
  •   Vulcan Centaur VC0
  •   Vulcan Centaur VC2S
  •   Vulcan Centaur VC4
  •   Vulcan Centaur VC6
  •   Vulcan Centaur TBD

Launch history

2024

Flight No. Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
configuration 		Launch site Payload Payload mass Orbit Customer Launch
outcome
1 8 January 2024,
07:18 		Vulcan Centaur VC2S CCSFS, SLC-41 Peregrine lander 1,283 kg (2,829 lb) TLI Astrobotic Technology Success[3]
Enterprise (space burial) Heliocentric Celestis
Maiden flight of Vulcan Centaur. Vulcan Certification-1 mission. Payload from Celestis, demonstrated engine restart capability of the Centaur upper stage delivering multiple payloads to different orbits. The Peregrine payload failed in transit to the Moon, precluding a landing attempt, due to reasons unrelated to the launch vehicle.[4]

Future launches

2024

Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
configuration 		Launch site Payload Orbit Customer
Early September[5] Vulcan Centaur VC2[6] CCSFS, SLC-41 Mass Simulator TBA United Launch Alliance
Vulcan Certification-2 mission. Originally scheduled to carry the first flight of Dream Chaser, but due to schedule delays with Dream Chaser, ULA will fly an inert payload, experiments, and demonstrations.[5]
December 2024[7] Vulcan Centaur VC4[8][9] CCSFS, SLC-41 USSF-106 / NTS-3[10] GEO U.S. Space Force
First National Security Space Launch (NSSL) mission for Vulcan Centaur.[11]
December 2024[12] Vulcan Centaur VC4 CCSFS, SLC-41 USSF-87 (GSSAP 7 & 8)[13] GEO U.S. Space Force
USSF-87 will launch two identical Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness satellites, GSSAP-7 and 8, directly to a geosynchronous orbit.

2025

Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
configuration 		Launch site Payload Orbit Customer
2025[5] Vulcan Centaur VC4L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 SNC Demo-1 (Dream Chaser Tenacity.1) LEO (ISS) NASA (CRS)
First flight of Dream Chaser. Originally scheduled to fly on Vulcan Certification-2 mission.
2025[14] Vulcan Centaur VC2[15] CCSFS, SLC-41 GPS-III SV07 MEO U.S. Space Force
First GPS mission for Vulcan Centaur.
2025[16] Vulcan Centaur VC2[15] CCSFS, SLC-41 GPS-III SV08 MEO U.S. Space Force
Eighth GPS Block III navigation satellite.
2025[17] Vulcan Centaur VC2[15] CCSFS, SLC-41 GPS-III SV09 MEO U.S. Space Force
Ninth GPS Block III navigation satellite.
2025[16] Vulcan Centaur CCSFS, SLC-41 NROL-64 TBA NRO
First NRO launch on Vulcan
2025[16] Vulcan Centaur VSFB, SLC-3E NROL-83 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload. First Vulcan Centaur launch from Vandenberg
2025[16] Vulcan Centaur VSFB, SLC-3E SDA T1TR-B LEO SDA
Tranche 1 Tracking Layer B missile tracking satellites.
2025[16] Vulcan Centaur VSFB, SLC-3E SDA T1TR-D LEO SDA
Tranche 1 Tracking Layer D missile tracking satellites.
2025[14] Vulcan Centaur VC4 CCSFS, SLC-41 USSF-112 TBA U.S. Space Force
Classified payload.
2025[16] Vulcan Centaur VSFB, SLC-3E USSF-114 TBA U.S. Space Force
Classified payload.
2025[14][18] Vulcan Centaur CCSFS, SLC-41 WGS-11 GEO U.S. Space Force
Military communications satellite.

2027

Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
configuration 		Launch site Payload Orbit Customer
NLT 2027[19][17] Vulcan Centaur CCSFS, SLC-41[20] DRACO Demo (USSF-25) LEO U.S. Space Force
Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) is a DARPA program to demonstrate a working nuclear thermal rocket in space.

TBD

Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
configuration 		Launch site Payload Orbit Customer
TBD[17] Vulcan Centaur CCSFS, SLC-41[20] NROL-56 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload.
TBD[17] Vulcan Centaur VSFB, SLC-3E[20] NROL-73 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload.
TBD[17] Vulcan Centaur VSFB, SLC-3E[20] NROL-100 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload.
TBD[17] Vulcan Centaur CCSFS, SLC-41[20] NROL-109 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload.
TBD[17] Vulcan Centaur CCSFS, SLC-41[20] Silentbarker 2A, 2B, 2C (NROL-118) GEO U.S. Space Force (NRO)
Classified USSF & NRO partnered program.
TBD[17] Vulcan Centaur CCSFS, SLC-41[20] STP-5 LEO U.S. Space Force
Two satellites for Department of Defense Strategic Capabilities Office[21]
TBD[17] Vulcan Centaur VSFB, SLC-3E SDA T2TL-B LEO SDA
Tranche 2 Transport Layer B missile tracking satellites.
TBD[22] Vulcan Centaur CCSFS, SLC-41 USSF-16 TBA U.S. Space Force
Classified payload.
TBD[22] Vulcan Centaur CCSFS, SLC-41 USSF-23 TBA U.S. Space Force
Classified payload.
TBD[22] Vulcan Centaur CCSFS, SLC-41 USSF-43 TBA U.S. Space Force
Classified payload.
TBD[17] Vulcan Centaur CCSFS, SLC-41[20] NG-OPIR (USSF-57) GEO U.S. Space Force
Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared satellite.
TBD[17] Vulcan Centaur CCSFS, SLC-41[20] Missile Track Custody 1 (USSF-95) MEO U.S. Space Force
First launch of Missile Track Custody satellites.
TBD[23] Vulcan Centaur VC4L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Dream Chaser LEO (ISS) NASA (CRS)
Vulcan Centaur VC4L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Dream Chaser LEO (ISS) NASA (CRS)
Vulcan Centaur VC4L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Dream Chaser LEO (ISS) NASA (CRS)
Vulcan Centaur VC4L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Dream Chaser LEO (ISS) NASA (CRS)
Vulcan Centaur VC4L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Dream Chaser LEO (ISS) NASA (CRS)
5 more launches on contract.
TBD[24] Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
Vulcan Centaur VC6L[9] CCSFS, SLC-41 Project Kuiper x 45 LEO Kuiper Systems
38 Vulcan Centaur launches for Amazon's Project Kuiper.

See also

References

  1. ^ Bruno, Tory (10 December 2023). "#VulcanRocket WDR update". X. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  2. ^ "NASA – NSSDCA – Spacecraft – Details". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  3. ^ McCrea, Aaron (8 January 2024). "Vulcan successfully launches Peregrine lunar lander on inaugural flight". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  4. ^ "The first US Moon landing in more than 50 years has hit a major hurdle after a 'critical' fuel leak". ABC News. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "ULA changes payloads for second Vulcan launch". SpaceNews. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  6. ^ @torybruno (15 June 2024). "2 solids" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ^ Berger, Eric (10 January 2024). "After its impressive first flight, here's what's next for the Vulcan rocket". Ars Technica. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  8. ^ @GewoonLukas_ (24 June 2024). "The first one will be the USSF-106 mission. This launch will carry the NTS-3 satellite, along with another currently unidentified payload, directly to Geosynchronous orbit. It currently looks like Vulcan will be flying in the VC4 configuration for this mission" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as Krebs, Gunter (19 December 2023). "Vulcan". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  10. ^ Erwin, Sandra (9 April 2022). "Air Force space experiment will seek to demonstrate multi-orbit satellite navigation". SpaceNews. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  11. ^ Erwin, Sandra (27 February 2023). "Air Force navigation satellite to launch on Vulcan's first national security mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  12. ^ "FY21 NSS Missions". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  13. ^ @GewoonLukas_ (24 June 2024). "The second one will be the USSF-87 mission, which will likely carry the 4th pair of GSSAP satellites directly to Geosynchronous orbit. It currently looks like Vulcan will be flying in the VC2 configuration for this mission, although a VC4 has been previously reported" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. ^ a b c "Rocket Launch Manifest". Next Spaceflight. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  15. ^ a b c @torybruno (16 May 2024). "Likely a 2 solid. When the Gov wants to go" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. ^ a b c d e f Erwin, Sandra (8 June 2023). "Space Force assigns 12 national security missions to SpaceX and ULA". SpaceNews. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Erwin, Sandra (31 October 2023). "Space Force assigns 21 national security missions to ULA and SpaceX". SpaceNews. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  18. ^ Erwin, Sandra (13 April 2023). "Boeing unveils WGS-11 design with new military payload". SpaceNews. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  19. ^ Foust, Jeff (26 July 2023). "NASA and DARPA select Lockheed Martin to develop DRACO nuclear propulsion demo". SpaceNews. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i @thesheetztweetz (1 November 2023). "And, for those curious, here's the rundown of the 21 mission assignments:" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ "Space Systems Command announces 21 mission assignments for National Security Space Launch Phase 2 Procurement" (PDF). 31 October 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  22. ^ a b c Erwin, Sandra (30 May 2022). "Space Force identifies national security launches funded in 2022 and 2023". SpaceNews. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  23. ^ Foust, Jeff (29 April 2022). "First Dream Chaser vehicle takes shape". SpaceNews. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Amazon Signs Contract with United Launch Alliance for 38 Project Kuiper Launches on Vulcan Centaur". ULA. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
Categories
Table of Contents