Time for the second launch of Vulcan!
| Scheduled for (UTC) | 2024-10-04 11:25 |
|---|---|
| Scheduled for (local) | 2024-10-04 07:25 (EST) |
| Launch site | SLC-41, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida. |
| Launch provider | United Launch Alliance (ULA) |
| Launch vehicle | Vulcan Centaur (VC2S configuration*) |
| Mission success criteria | Successful launch and deployment of payloads into desired orbit |
VC2S configuration breakdown:
- V: Vulcan first stage
- C: Centaur V upper stage
- 2: Two GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters on the first stage
- S: Standard size fairing, 15.5 m in length
Livestreams
| Stream | Link |
|---|---|
| ULA | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAUatH8O6Ng |
| NASASpaceFlight | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPztD5zwgYY |
| Spaceflight Now | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec_4DHUylEg |
| The Launch Pad | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yTZpKycf-w |
| Space Affairs | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lIdTeAs5As |
Stats
☑️ 2nd Vulcan mission of 2024
☑️ 2nd Vulcan mission overall
☑️ 5th ULA mission of 2024
☑️ 163rd ULA mission overall
Payload info
Certification Flight 2
Replacement Vulcan test launch with inert payload, experiments, and demonstrations for certification with the USSF after delays caused by payload testing of the Sierra Space Dreamchaser CRS SNC-1 mission, the original planned payload.
| Target orbit | Heliocentric Orbit |
|---|---|
| Payloads | 1 |
| Total Mass | 1,500 kg |
Previous ULA launch: USSF-51
Next ULA launch: [TBD]
In space now. Chilling second stage.
Launch looked a bit chunky but I guess that’s just the solids.
Actually rewatching it, it looks like might have been a nozzle failure on one of the GEMs. There’s a big flare before clouds obscure the rocket - much bigger than the ice. After this, one side looks to have a bigger exhaust plume than the other, and burns out slightly sooner.
Yeah, NSF are speculating about it.
https://x.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1842169172932886538
Yeah, NSF are pulling in other angles and it definitely blows chunks and yaws slightly. Centaur burn went long - I wonder if that impacts the second burn.
Meanwhile ULA: “Everything performing nominally”
Tory Bruno confirms “Observation on SRB#1”.
An SRB blowing its nozzle off is certainly one hell of an “observation”. Pretty impressive that the rest of the vehicle was able to compensate for the funky thrust.