Vulcan Flies for United Launch Alliance and USSF-106

Image Credit:  Michael Seeley -  We Report Space

Cape Canaveral S.F.S., FL. - The maiden launch of ULA’s (United Launch Alliance) Vulcan Centaur for 2025 along with a NSSL (National Security Space Launch) satellite (NTS-3) lifted off at 8:56 PM EDT from Launch Complex 41.

The satellite (NTS-3) (Navigation Technology Satellite 3) manufactured by L3Harris is the first part of a twofer payload launch. The second satellite being launched is USSF-106 a classified satellite under the auspices of the United States Space Force and bound for a geosynchronous orbit in the area of 22,000 miles above the earth.

In a statement from U.L.A.:

“National security begins at liftoff,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “Vulcan did exactly what it was built to do: deliver a critical mission with power, precision and confidence. We are proud to play a role in strengthening the nation’s space capabilities.”

Continuing:

“Vulcan is a catalyst to supporting national defense in the strategic warfighting domain of space,” said Tory Bruno, ULA president and CEO. “Vulcan is the world’s most capable, highenergy orbit rocket meeting the demand for expanding space competencies. Vulcan provides flexibility to our nation’s decision makers as we combat our adversaries’ attempts to disrupt the U.S. in space operations. This launch begins a new era in national space security.”

What is known on the NTS-3 satellite is that will fall under a “navigation” class of satellites & also are of the latest generation currently being provided. It can be remotely programmed and reprogrammed on the fly from earth stations allowing it to rapidly detect spoofing attacks, assess and automatically improve communication performance by reviewing and marking interference patterns.

While this will only be the third launch of the Vulcan for 2025, it is no less important than the SpaceX Dept of Defense launches. ULA CEO Tory Bruno recently modified his projected ULA launches for 2025 to 10.

The Vulcan was specifically designed to replace the outgoing Atlas Centaur and the retired heavy duty Delta .The Vulcan carries 2 BE-4 main engines and four side-mounted GEM Graphite Epoxy Motor) 63XL solid rocket boosters manufactured by Northrup Grumman. With everything ignited at launch, there will be, three million pounds (13 megaNewtons) of thrust to carry the satellites space, where the thrust to launch the USSF-106

When the SRBs have done their job and are jettisoned, the second stage Centaur V will kick in with 2 RLC10C-1-1A engines built by Aerojet RocketDyne.

The launch is an important milestone for both ULA & the Vulcan as the launch is the maiden certified launch under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program. This program is based on the exacting needs of the NRO (National Reconnaissance Office) as well as the Department of defense (DoD).

Story By: Graham Smith – We Report Space

Images By: Graham Smith and Michael Seeley – We Report Space

#ulalaunch #l3harristech #sldelta45 #ussf_ssc @ulalaunch #vulcanrocket

#aerojetrocketdyne #ussf106 #capecanaveralspaceforcestation #hkpmedia #amandahollywx @emrekelly