Vulcan VC4L

Active

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
770.0 T
Thrust
13706.0 kN

Family

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

Payload Capacity

Launch Cost
―
Low Earth Orbit
24600.0 kg
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
11700.0 kg
Direct Geostationary
4900.0 kg
Sun-Synchronous Capacity
20000.0 kg

United Launch Alliance

Commercial

Interim CEO: John Elbon

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.

Upcoming Spaceflights

Vulcan VC4L | Dream Chaser CRS 2 Flight 1

United Launch Alliance | United States of America
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
TBD December, 2026

Status: To Be Determined

Mission:

First flight of the Dream Chaser Spaceplane, on a free-flying mission in Low Earth Orbit.

Low Earth Orbit

Explore Share

Vulcan VC4L | Dream Chaser CRS 2 Flight 2

United Launch Alliance | United States of America
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
TBD December, 2027

Status: To Be Determined

Mission:

Second flight of the Dream Chaser Spaceplane. It may dock to the ISS depending on results from Flight 1.

Low Earth Orbit

Explore Share

Flight Record

No spaceflights found for .

Recent Launches

Long March 7A

Success

2 days, 6 hours ago

TJSW-24

201 - Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

Chinese classified satellite claimed to be for communication technology test purposes. Actual mission not known.

Falcon 9

Success

2 days, 7 hours ago

Starlink Group 17-37

Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.

Falcon 9

Success

3 days, 10 hours ago

Starlink Group 10-47

Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.

Long March 2F/G

Success

4 days, 7 hours ago

Shenzhou 23

Launch Area 91 (SLS-1 / 921) - Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Shenzhou 23 will be the 23rd flight of the Shenzhou program.

Starship

Success

6 days ago

Flight 12

Orbital Launch Pad 2 - SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA

12th test flight of the two-stage Starship launch vehicle. Maiden Flight of Starship V3. The flight test’s primary goal will be to demonstrate eac…