Success
Certification Flight 2
Test Flight
United Launch Alliance(ULA)CommercialVulcan VC2S
Helio-N/Aorbit
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. One of the GEM-63XL SRBs was observed to blown out its booster nozzle at T+37 seconds, causing reduced and asymmetric thrust during ascent, however the performance shortfall was fully compensated by Vulcan's other stages.
Friday, October 4, 2024 at 11:25 AM
Replay
Flight Timeline
- T-00:05Ignition
- T+00:01Liftoff
- T+01:10Supersonic
- T+01:16Max-Q
- T+01:49SRB Separation
- T+04:59MECO
- T+05:05Stage 2 Separation
- T+05:15SES-1
- T+05:23Fairing Separation
- T+15:56SECO-1
- T+30:54SES-2
- T+34:55SECO-2
Links
Mission details
Orbital Attempt
#6,772
ULA Mission
#164
Pad Launch
#114
Location Launch
#977
Designator
2024-179
Weather GO
95%
Weather Concerns
None
Launch Window
NET
Oct 4, 2024, 11:25 AM
Precision
Second
Schedule Changes
1 update
Lift Off
10:00 AM
Window Open
1:00 PM
Window Close
Vulcan VC2S Specs
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.
Length
61.6 m
Diameter
5.4 m
Launch Mass
663 t
Thrust
9,303 kN
LEO Capacity
19,000 kg
GTO Capacity
8,400 kg
GEO Capacity
2,600 kg
SSO Capacity
15,200 kg
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
2024
Fastest Turnaround
9mo
Total Launches
2
Successful
2
Failed
0
Consecutive Success
2
Maiden flight: Jan 8, 2024
Social Flight Log
- Oct 4, 2024, 1:33 PM
Launch success
Source - Oct 4, 2024, 11:25 AM
Liftoff
Source - Oct 4, 2024, 11:02 AM
New T-0
Source - Oct 4, 2024, 10:31 AM
HOLD
Source - Oct 4, 2024, 10:01 AM
New T-0 10:30 UTC
- Oct 4, 2024, 9:51 AM
Weather is 95% GO. Launch on hold.
Source - Oct 4, 2024, 9:35 AM
Official Webcast by United Launch Alliance has started
Source - Oct 3, 2024, 1:24 PM
Weather 80% GO
Source - Oct 1, 2024, 12:07 AM
Weather 75% GO.
Source - Sep 17, 2024, 10:44 PM
Added launch window.
Source - Sep 17, 2024, 2:45 AM
NET October 4.
Source - Sep 3, 2024, 1:35 PM
Targeting end of September.
Source - Jul 24, 2024, 1:46 AM
NET September 16.
Source - Jun 27, 2024, 6:44 PM
Updated launch vehicle configuration.
Source - Jun 26, 2024, 4:13 PM
Added launch as replacement for Vulcan USSF certification usage after original payload was delayed.
Source
United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. ULA launches from both coasts of the US. They launch their Atlas V vehicle from LC-41 in Cape Canaveral and LC-3E at Vandeberg. Their Delta IV launches from LC-37 at Cape Canaveral and LC-6 at Vandenberg.
Founded
2006
Administrator
Interim CEO: John Elbon
Total Launches
173
Successful
173
Failed
0
Pending
38
Consecutive Success
173
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
Timezone
America/New_York
Local Launch Time
Oct 4, 2024, 7:25 AM
Total Launches
1,109
Total Landings
75
Coordinates
28.4889, -80.5778