On Monday, January 8, United Launch Alliances Vulcan Centaur could finally perform its first flight.
Heres how Americas new powerhouse rocket could disrupt the sector and compete with the ever-dominant SpaceX.
This development signalshopefullya tightening competition in the space launch sector.
The Vulcan rocket booster and second stage during tests in Florida.Photo: ULA
With the introduction of Vulcan, ULA stands a chance to regain a portion of this market.
Blue Origin provides the two BE-4 engines for the booster, while Northrop Grumman builds the SRBs.
SpaceX and other competitors are steadily encroaching onto this territory, but Vulcan Centaur could keep ULA competitive.
Right from the outset with Vulcan Centaur, ULA is collaborating with a NASA-funded endeavor.
The rockets initial mission involvestransporting Astrobotics Peregrine lander to the Moonunder the space agencys Commercial Lunar Payload Services program.
A second certification mission is planned for this coming April.
Interestingly,ULA could be sold later this year, with Blue Origin being a potential bidder.
If I were buying a space business, Id go look at ULA, CEO Tory BrunotoldBloomberg in October.
Its already had all the hard work done through the transformation.
Youre not buying a Victorian with bad plumbing.
Its all been done.
As noted, Vulcan Centaurs mission docket extends beyond the upcoming lunar mission.
That is, so long as this first mission can get off the ground.
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