Vulcan Flies Despite Visible Inflight Anomaly

Cape Canaveral S.F.S. FL. – This morning, October 4, 2024, a United Launch Alliance (U.L.A.) Vulcan rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 41 at 7:25 AM EDT. to the delight of some early Space Coast viewers. The launch was originally scheduled for 6:00 AM; a couple of technical issues delayed the liftoff.

However, it is being reported by observers as well as U.L.A. that there was a visible anomaly with one of the solid rocket motors. Visible sparks were seen as well as an unusual flame plume coming from the motor. At 37 seconds into the flight, a noticeable “issue” occurred and was seen in video.

                                                                         Image from video clip by NSF

In a statement from Tory Bruno of U.L.A.: “The success of Vulcan’s second certification flight heralds a new age of forward-looking technology committed to meeting the ever-growing requirements of space launch and supporting our nation’s assured access to space. We had an observation on one of our solid rocket boosters (SRB) that we are reviewing but we are overall pleased with the rocket’s performance and had a bull’s-eye insertion,” said Tory Bruno, ULA’s president and CEO. “Vulcan provides high performance and greater affordability while continuing to deliver our unmatched reliability and orbital precision for all our customers across the national security, civil and commercial markets.”

This Vulcan rocket flew in what U.L.A. calls the VC2S configuration. VC2S stands for: Vulcan/Centaur 2 solid rocket motors and a Standard fairing. Helping to propel the Vulcan to space is the use of two BE-4 engines built by Blue Origin and two solid rocket boosters built by Northrop Grumman on the first stage, while the Centaur is powered by two RL-10 engines built by Aerojet Rocketdyne.

Onboard the rocket is a nonfunctioning (inert) satellite payload as well as some demonstration technology for future Centaur V flights.

This second flight mission for Vulcan brings the rocket one step closer for complete certification for the U.S. Space Force.

Story by: Michael Howard and Images by: Graham Smith – We Report Space