Vulcan VC4L

Active Vulcan

United Launch Alliance (ULA)

None

Description

Vulcan Centaur is a two-stage-to-orbit, heavy-lift launch vehicle under development by United Launch Alliance (ULA) since 2014. It is principally designed to meet launch demands for the U.S. government's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program for use by the United States Space Force and U.S. intelligence agencies for national security satellite launches. It will replace both of ULA's existing launchers (Atlas V and Delta IV Heavy) in this role, as these launchers are retiring.

Specifications

Stages
2
Length
67.4 m
Diameter
5.4 m
Fairing Diameter
5.4 m
Launch Mass
770 T
Thrust
13706 kN

Family

Name
Vulcan VC4L
Family
Vulcan
Variant
VC4L
Alias
―
Full Name
Vulcan VC4L

Payload Capacity

Launch Cost
―
Low Earth Orbit
24600 kg
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
11700 kg
Direct Geostationary
4900 kg
Sun-Synchronous Capacity
20000 kg

United Launch Alliance

Commercial

CEO: Tory Bruno

ULA 2006

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.