Maiden flight
L -
25
Days:
13
Hours:
43
Mins:
30
SecondsLaunch Overview
Liftoff Time
December 24, 2023 - 06:49 GMT (06:49 UTC)
Complex Overview
Launch Facility
Cape Canaveral, FL, USA
Launch Pad
Space Launch Complex 41
Turnaround Time
3 months
Who is ULA?
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.
What Is Vulcan VC2S?
The Vulcan launch system is a replacement under development by ULA to replace the Atlas-5 and Delta-4 families.
Engines
GEM 63XL
The GEM 63XL, developed by Northrop Grumman, is an extended version of the GEM 63, about 73 inches (185 cm) longer than its predecessor. It is used on the Vulcan rocket. A gimballing variant called the GEM 63XLT was under development for the now cancelled OmegA rocket.
BE-4
The Blue Engine 4 or BE-4 is being developed for the New Glenn and the Vulcan Centaur rockets.
RL10
Mission Overviw
Maiden flight of ULA's Vulcan launch vehicle carrying the Peregrine lunar lander developed by Astrobotic Technology. The first two satellites of Amazon's Project Kuiper constellation are onboard this launch as rideshare payloads.
