United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched its newest Vulcan rocket system from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Tuesday night. The launch, which took place at 8:56 p.m. Eastern time, marked the first fully operational flight of the Vulcan vehicle carrying two military satellites for the U.S. Space Force.
The rocket’s first stage was powered by two methane-fueled BE-4 engines, generating three million pounds of thrust. After about three and a half minutes, the second stage Centaur rocket ignited with its two hydrogen-fueled Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C engines, continuing the mission to geosynchronous orbit above the Equator.
One of the satellites deployed will conduct a classified mission, while the other is set to test new navigation technology and atomic clocks that could contribute to developing jam-resistant GPS data for global navigation.
The workforce behind this mission includes members of IAM Local 610 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Local 971 in Jupiter, Florida, and Local 44 in Decatur, Alabama.
“This was the 101st successful launch of a ULA rocket system thanks to the hard work and dedication of this multi talented group of IAM Brothers, Sisters, and Siblings,” according to a statement from those involved in the launch.
