Centennial rocket cleared for National Security Space Launch missions
The United Launch Alliance created its Vulcan rocket after years of development. After two successful certification missions, the rocket has passed its comprehensive certification plan and is now officially certified by Space Force, according to a press release from the alliance.
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'Thank you to all our customer partners who have worked hand-in-hand with us throughout this comprehensive certification process. We are grateful for the collaboration and excited to reach this critical milestone in Vulcan development,' said Tory Bruno, ULA's president and CEO in the release. 'Vulcan is uniquely designed to meet the challenging requirements demanded by an expanding spectrum of missions for U.S. national security space launches.'
In September of 2016, ULA entered into an agreement with the United States Air Force, who made an outline of how the Vulcan would have to perform in the Air Force's New Entrant Certification Guide.
From then until now, the Vulcan has undergone and completed 52 certification criteria, including:
180 'discrete tasks'
Two certification flight demonstrations
60 payload interface requirement verfications
18 subsystem design and test reviews
114 hardware and software audits
'The SSC and ULA teams have worked together extremely closely, and certification of this launch system is a direct result of their focus, dedication and teamwork,' said Gen Panzenhagen, Program Executive Officer for Assured Access to Space.
The Vulcan possesses the world's highest-performing upper stage, according to the release, which extends ULA's industry-leading legacy of precision.
The Centaur V is flexible and durable, allowing it to perform complex orbital insertions. The capabilities of the technology allow large NSSL spacecraft to have direct injection into Geosynchronous Orbit.
ULA said it is a critical requirement supporting the country facing evolving threats.
The Vulcan rocket is available in four different variations that include the zero, two, four or six solid boosters. The boosters are powered by BE-4 engines, which ULA said are the most powerful liquified natural gas-fueled oxygen-rich staged combustion engine ever flown.
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The booster engines can produce 550,000 pounds of thrust. The American-made engines also ended the use of Russia's RD-180 engine.
More information about the Vulcan and ULA can be found on its website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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