Vulcan Centaur
United Launch Alliance space launch vehicle in development / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Vulcan Centaur is a two-stage-to-orbit, heavy-lift launch vehicle under development by United Launch Alliance (ULA) since 2014. It is principally designed to meet launch demands for the U.S. government's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program for use by the United States Space Force and U.S. intelligence agencies for national security satellite launches. It will replace both of ULA's existing launchers (Atlas V and Delta IV Heavy) in this role, as these launchers are retiring. Vulcan Centaur will also be used for commercial launches, including an order for 38 launches from Kuiper Systems.
| |
| Function | Launch vehicle, partial reuse planned |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | United Launch Alliance |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Cost per launch | Approx. US$100–200 million[1][2] |
| Size | |
| Height | 61.6 m (202 ft)[3] |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft)[4] |
| Mass | 546,700 kg (1,205,300 lb) |
| Stages | 2 with 0, 2, 4 or 6 boosters |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to low Earth orbit (28.7°) | |
| Mass | 27,200 kg (60,000 lb)[5] |
| Payload to geostationary transfer orbit (27.0°) | |
| Mass | 15,300 kg (33,700 lb),[5] |
| Payload to geostationary orbit | |
| Mass | 7,000 kg (15,000 lb)[5] |
| Payload to trans-lunar injection | |
| Mass | 12,100 kg (26,700 lb)[5] |
| Launch history | |
| Status | In construction |
| Launch sites | |
| First flight | late 2023 (planned)[7] |
| Boosters | |
| No. boosters | 0, 2, 4, or 6[8] |
| Powered by | GEM-63XL[9] |
| Maximum thrust | 2,201.7 kN (495,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | HTPB, Al / AP |
| First stage | |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Powered by | 2 × BE-4 |
| Maximum thrust | 4,900 kN (1,100,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | CH4 / LOX |
| Second stage – Centaur V | |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Powered by | 2 × RL-10[10] |
| Maximum thrust | 212 kN (48,000 lbf)[11] |
| Specific impulse | 453.8 s (4.450 km/s)[11] |
| Propellant | LH2 / LOX |
In 2014 an initial flight was expected in 2019. As of 24 June 2023[update], after multiple delays, the first flight was delayed indefinitely.[12] The maiden flight is slated to launch Astrobotic Technology's Peregrine lunar lander for NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.[13][14]