United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Next Generation Launch System (NGLS)

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1569708540423438336

View: https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1569708540423438336

Mark Peller, ULA: making good progress on Vulcan, should get BE-4 flight engines in the “coming weeks” and then send it to the launch site. (Does not commit to a specific launch date for first Vulcan launch.)

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1565720316097318917

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1565720316097318917

The ULA and @NASA team just completed cryogenic fluids testing of the Centaur V upper stage. Rigorously exercised over 11 days of cryogenic operations, verifying readiness for flight. #Vulcan is coming…

 

[NMaude]

I wonder if the Centaur V will be flight tested using an Atlas V first-stage?

 

[mkellytx]

I wonder if the Centaur V will be flight tested using an Atlas V first-stage?

Don't think it would fit without a special adapter, not to mention the NRE time to get it done would be longer than the time to get Vulcan launched.

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574482099981148160

View: https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1574482099981148160

I'm hearing good things about Blue Origin's testing of the second BE-4 flight engine, which United Launch Alliance is eagerly waiting for. First flight engine should ship back to Texas soon. Hopefully Blue will release some images or video of the BE-4 in action

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1575231771913994240

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1575231771913994240

Found it! Ok, since you asked so nicely... here is a full duration @BlueOrigin #BE4 firing. #VulcanRocket #CountDownToVulcan. Enjoy...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1575233586885689357

View: https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1575233586885689357

This is BE-4 flight engine two, shown here passing the first of two firing tests before it is shipped to ULA's facility in Alabama. After repairs, flight engine one should ship back to Texas for its tests soon.

Tory: "This is an Acceptance Test Firing of the FE2 First flight engine"

https://twitter.com/x/status/1575244407208493057

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1575244407208493057

 

[Grey Havoc]

Florida's Space Coast On Track After Ian, Set For 3 Launches In 3 Days - Slashdot

NASA says the damage to their launch facilities in Florida following Hurricane Ian was minimal and work was already underway for a "rapid-fire succession of three launches in three days," reports Ars Technica. An anonymous reader shares an excerpt from the report: First up is a commercial...

science.slashdot.org

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1578907437033492480

View: https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1578907437033492480

Our @ULAlaunch teammates came to West Texas to check out their first new flight engine: Two thumbs up! Now it’s off to ULA!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1578913560356261888

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1578913560356261888

A beautiful sight

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1578220760896008192

View: https://twitter.com/pokegreens/status/1578220760896008192

A bit surprised centaur V costs less than III, despite the former being larger

https://twitter.com/x/status/1578368248823050240

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1578368248823050240

Centaur III is a hand built Ferrari with over 180,000 welds. CV has 10x fewer welds, which are done robotically. We invested >$200M modernizing our factory for Vulcan

 

[Flyaway]

ULA now have one of the two BE-4 engines for Vulcan’s first launch.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1579474930659627008

View: https://twitter.com/joroulette/status/1579474930659627008

Vulcan's core booster has been ready for months. Blue Origin delivered its first BE-4 flight engine to ULA late last night, and Bruno expects the other engine to arrive in November after Blue had to fix a manufacturing defect. Targeting first Vulcan firings on FL pad in December

https://twitter.com/x/status/1579617777559949314

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1579617777559949314

https://twitter.com/x/status/1579618172294270976

View: https://twitter.com/kerballaunch/status/1579618172294270976

Confident in the performance and robustness of the engine?

It's great to see these beautiful BE-4s arrive in Decatur though!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1579620565819981824

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1579620565819981824

Yes. Performing better than I expected

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1579475921148710918

View: https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1579475921148710918

If by early 2023 Bruno means the first half of 2023, then this is probably correct.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1579478111363952640

View: https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1579478111363952640

And I should say that if ULA gets the second engine in November, and they manage to launch Vulcan within next 6-8 months, that would be rather efficient all things considered. There are still a lot of pieces that have to come together—engines, Centaur, payload, and pad.

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1579622457681797120

View: https://twitter.com/talkotitusville/status/1579622457681797120

@torybruno what’s next for this beautiful piece of machinery ??

https://twitter.com/x/status/1579623049812652034

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1579623049812652034

Integration into the booster. Then, a Rocket Ship ride to the Cape, a Flight Readiness Firing on the pad, and finally, a trip to space

https://twitter.com/x/status/1579619333806129153

View: https://twitter.com/uujfko/status/1579619333806129153

@torybruno any word on when the first flight of Vulcan will be?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1579621489061810176

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1579621489061810176

Yes. Payload will be ready in Q1. We will wait for them.

 

[Michel Van]

Current state of program...
ULA has to complete it Vulcan test program until September 2023
why ? it's launch date for USSF first Military payload for Vulcan
Only problem Blue Origin has issue with there engines...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g0cZPsfpu4

 

[sferrin]

Another YEAR? Jesus.

 

[NMaude]

No doubt by now the USAF is wishing it went with Aerojet's design as no doubt it would've already flown by now.

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1579860944230182912

View: https://twitter.com/astrobotic/status/1579860944230182912

1/2"More detail concerning the requested schedule shift to Q1 2023 will be announced soon. As Peregrine begins its journey to the Moon in early 2023, it will be an incredible accomplishment for us, the city of Pittsburgh, and the space industry as a whole,"

https://twitter.com/x/status/1579861464105381888

View: https://twitter.com/astrobotic/status/1579861464105381888

2/2"The Peregrine lunar lander is currently onsite after successful propulsion system pressure testing. Now, we are proceeding with final spacecraft assembly - including installation of the solar panel along with avionics, sensors, communications equipment & payloads," -Thornton

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1580014463318601728

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1580014463318601728

I had to step in for Standard Brian today. He was busy building rockets elsewhere in the plant. (And, I can neither confirm nor deny rumors that I was seen hugging this @blueorigin BE4 flight engine in Decatur moments before). #VulcanRocket #CountdowntoVulcan

 

[mkellytx]

Another YEAR? Jesus.

@sferrin keep in mind that's a year to get the required number of prior launches to satisfy the certification criteria. They could of course go with a smaller number and go the whole massive oversight route... The new entrant certification guide is floating around publicly so those numbers/requirements are out there for all to see.

 

[mkellytx]

No doubt by now the USAF is wishing it went with Aerojet's design as no doubt it would've already flown by now.

Bit of a counterfactual now. It does rub the wrong way that we (Launch SPO) funded those studies and our service provider chose BO over the guys with experience in RP1/LOX.

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582001616642748416

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1582001616642748416

Hung a BE4 flight engine on the Vulcan booster (off camera) last week. Thought you might find it interesting. #VulcanRocket #CountdownToVulcan

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582184276077879298

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1582184276077879298

That is a beautiful sight! One more BE4 and he's off to the Cape. #VulcanRocket #CountdownToVulcan

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582727168056266753

View: https://twitter.com/ngcnews/status/1582727168056266753

Northrop Grumman delivered two fully assembled GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters for the first time to support the first flight of @ulalaunch’s #VulcanRocket. #CountdowntoVulcan. #AdvancedManufacturing. Learn more: northropgrumman.com/space/propulsi…

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582733685010313216

View: https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1582733685010313216

The twin GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters for the inaugural flight of ULA's #VulcanRocket have arrived at the Cape Canaveral launch site.

Made by @northropgrumman, each SRB will generate 463,249 pounds (2.1 mega-Newtons) of thrust at its peak.

Learn more: blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/vulcan-sr…

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582851110900928512

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1582851110900928512

As requested by all of the cool and fun loving space people: “unboxing” of a @NorthropGrumman GEM63XL solid rocket motor at the Cape for the #VulcanRocket in all of its 63 in dia, 120ft glory. #ToryTimelapse #CountdownToVulcan

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1583668832601665536

View: https://twitter.com/brickmack/status/1583668832601665536

Will extra instrumentation be carried on the rocket for the first launch?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1583811026914398211

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1583811026914398211

Yes… so much instrumentation…

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1584325580832399360

View: https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1584325580832399360

Hearing good things about testing of the second BE-4 flight engine that will be used to power the debut Vulcan rocket. It may soon be ready to join its twin in Decatur, Alabama.

 

[NMaude]

Once the second BE-4 arrives and is mounted on the Vulcan stage then a green-run can be conducted.

 

[Flyaway]

Once the second BE-4 arrives and is mounted on the Vulcan stage then a green-run can be conducted.

I think the level of confidence we can have that Vulcan will launch in the first half of 2023 should be increasing.

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1589653625080451072

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1589653625080451072

Fine looking BE4 engines. #VulcanRocket #CountdownToVulcan #BE4 @BlueOrigin

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1589611940954808320

View: https://twitter.com/belgium2themoon/status/1589611940954808320

The Peregrine lunar lander, with our @Belgium2theMoon #timecapsule aboard, will soon depart @astrobotic #Pittsburgh for final testing ahead of its launch early 2023.

#NASA #science #moon #space #Belgium #Belgie #ruimtevaart #astronomy #universe #galaxy #physics #cosmos

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1589659097800245248

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1589659097800245248

How about a nice unboxing video. #VulcanRocket #CountdownToVulcan #BE4 #ToryTimelapse

 

[NMaude]

So now that the second BE4 engine has arrived and been mounted on the stage how long before it is then put through a green run?

 

[Michel Van]

for moment is that Rocket is in ULA Factory in Alabama
and must be transported to Launch complex for Static test firing,
if that goes well, launch of Vulcan could happen in first quarter of 2023
if not goes well do BE-4 engine failure, to second half of 2023 or even 2024

 

[FighterJock]

for moment is that Rocket is in ULA Factory in Alabama
and must be transported to Launch complex for Static test firing,
if that goes well, launch of Vulcan could happen in first quarter of 2023
if not goes well do BE-4 engine failure, to second half of 2023 or even 2024

I would personally like to see the first launch of the Vulcan rocket during the first quarter of 2023 and not the second.

 

[Michel Van]

I would personally like to see the first launch of the Vulcan rocket during the first quarter of 2023 and not the second.

it depend only from BE-4 engines and Vulcan static test firing on Cape.
The issue here is they are first BE-4 engines for Vulcan and there not yet flight proven.
from static test firing to first test launch and qualifying the Vulcan is still long way to go...

 

[FighterJock]

I would personally like to see the first launch of the Vulcan rocket during the first quarter of 2023 and not the second.

it depend only from BE-4 engines and Vulcan static test firing on Cape.
The issue here is they are first BE-4 engines for Vulcan and there not yet flight proven.
from static test firing to first test launch and qualifying the Vulcan is still long way to go...

So the current odds of seeing a Vulcan rocket launch for the first time this year is remote. Which is a shame.

 

[NMaude]

So the current odds of seeing a Vulcan rocket launch for the first time this year is remote. Which is a shame.

I'll settle for a static test-fire of the Vulcan stage.

 

[Flyaway]

for moment is that Rocket is in ULA Factory in Alabama
and must be transported to Launch complex for Static test firing,
if that goes well, launch of Vulcan could happen in first quarter of 2023
if not goes well do BE-4 engine failure, to second half of 2023 or even 2024

Most realistic timeframe is mid year 2023 allowing for a relatively smooth flow of events.

 

[FighterJock]

for moment is that Rocket is in ULA Factory in Alabama
and must be transported to Launch complex for Static test firing,
if that goes well, launch of Vulcan could happen in first quarter of 2023
if not goes well do BE-4 engine failure, to second half of 2023 or even 2024

Most realistic timeframe is mid year 2023 allowing for a relatively smooth flow of events.

I would now go for that time frame as well Flyaway, or even autumn 2023, if anything untoward happens during the testing.

 

[Grey Havoc]

From a couple of hours ago:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkQ39JCWi0M

 

[Flyaway]

According to Tory Bruno there is going to be a LEO payload optimised version of Centaur 5 called the CVL which it is speculated will presumably be used on the Kuiper flights.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1514309967712428032

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1514309967712428032

 

[TomcatViP]

Just that everyone gets to understand what it is to get one engine installed and another latter on: it means that both products are in all certainties not identicals. The discrepancies are in all chance the result of an evolving production (/engineering?) process that made that both engines weren't ready and then certified on the same time.

This will lead to uncertainties in case of a major event. Who would be able to know what engine failed if there was a RUD?