United Launch Alliance introduces Vulcan next generation launcher

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...
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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.
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Tory: "This is an Acceptance Test Firing of the FE2 First flight engine"
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1575244407208493057
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1575244407208493057
 
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
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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
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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
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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!
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1579620565819981824
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1579620565819981824


Yes. Performing better than I expected
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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.
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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.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1579622457681797120
View: https://twitter.com/talkotitusville/status/1579622457681797120


@torybruno what’s next for this beautiful piece of machinery ??
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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
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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?
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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.
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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,"
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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
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sferrin said:
Another YEAR? Jesus.
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@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.
 
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…
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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…
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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
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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?
 
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
 
Michel Van said:
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
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I would personally like to see the first launch of the Vulcan rocket during the first quarter of 2023 and not the second.
 
FighterJock said:
I would personally like to see the first launch of the Vulcan rocket during the first quarter of 2023 and not the second.
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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...
 
Michel Van said:
FighterJock said:
I would personally like to see the first launch of the Vulcan rocket during the first quarter of 2023 and not the second.
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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...
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So the current odds of seeing a Vulcan rocket launch for the first time this year is remote. Which is a shame.
 
Michel Van said:
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
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Most realistic timeframe is mid year 2023 allowing for a relatively smooth flow of events.
 
Flyaway said:
Michel Van said:
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
Click to expand...
Most realistic timeframe is mid year 2023 allowing for a relatively smooth flow of events.
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I would now go for that time frame as well Flyaway, or even autumn 2023, if anything untoward happens during the testing.
 
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?
 

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