{
  "id": "ula-vulcan-centaur",
  "title": "Vulcan Centaur",
  "maker": "United Launch Alliance",
  "maker_type": "Commercial",
  "kind": "mission",
  "category": "launchers",
  "page": "https://spacemushroom.com/space-products/ula-vulcan-centaur/",
  "website": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
  "summary": "ULA's heavy launcher with aluminum orthogrid booster tanks, a stainless steel Centaur V upper stage and a composite 5.4 m fairing.",
  "application": "Vulcan Centaur launches national security, civil and commercial payloads from Florida and California. Its materials mix aluminum orthogrid tanks, a pressure stabilized stainless Centaur V tank and a composite fairing.",
  "story": {
    "headline": "Vulcan Centaur is United Launch Alliance's heavy-lift rocket, with two BE-4 engines and up to six solid boosters.",
    "intro": [
      "Vulcan Centaur is a heavy launcher from United Launch Alliance, built for national security, civil and commercial payloads and flown from Florida and California. Two BE-4 engines power the booster, and zero to six solid boosters can be added. It first flew on 8 January 2024, carrying Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander.",
      "The booster's tanks are aluminium orthogrid, walls with a grid of stiffening ribs, welded by a stirring method called friction stir welding. The Centaur V upper stage has a thin stainless steel tank that holds its shape from the pressure inside. The fairing is a graphite-epoxy sandwich around a vented aluminium honeycomb core."
    ],
    "built": [
      {
        "title": "Booster tanks",
        "text": "Orthogrid panels formed in a press brake and spun-formed aluminium domes make up the tanks. Two friction stir welding machines built by PAR Systems join them at ULA's Decatur site. The oxygen and natural gas tanks share a common bulkhead, and the booster holds over a million pounds of propellant.",
        "parts": [
          "Booster propellant tanks",
          "Booster tank panels and domes",
          "Friction-stir welded tank barrels and domes",
          "Booster common bulkhead",
          "Booster liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel tank"
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "Booster engines",
        "text": "Two BE-4 engines from Blue Origin burn liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas, each pushing with 2446.5 kilonewtons at sea level. A propellant utilisation system signals when the booster's propellants run out, and that starts the engines' shutdown sequence. An interstage adapter joins the booster to the Centaur V.",
        "parts": [
          "BE-4 engines (x2)",
          "Booster liquid oxygen (LO2) tank",
          "Booster LO2 feedline",
          "Booster propellant utilization system",
          "Interstage adapter"
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "Centaur V",
        "text": "Centaur V is 5.4 metres across and 11.7 metres long and holds 120,000 pounds of propellant. Its hydrogen and oxygen tanks share a common bulkhead and are insulated with spray-on foam, plus blankets and radiation shields for long coasts. Two RL10C-1-1A engines of 23,825 pounds-force each power it.",
        "parts": [
          "Centaur V propellant tank",
          "Centaur V LH2 and LO2 tanks with common bulkhead and aft bulkhead",
          "Spray-on foam insulation (SOFI)",
          "Multilayer insulation (MLI) blankets and radiation shields",
          "RL10C-1-1A engines (x2)"
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "Fairing",
        "text": "The fairing is 5.4 metres across, and 15.5 metres long as standard or 21.3 metres in its long form. It is a two-piece shell that separates without debris, on spring packs and a frangible joint built to break cleanly. Acoustic panels cut noise for the payload.",
        "parts": [
          "5.4-m payload fairing",
          "Payload fairing separation system",
          "Fairing acoustic panels"
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "Solid boosters",
        "text": "Zero, two, four or six GEM 63XL boosters from Northrop Grumman can be strapped on. Each is a stretched Atlas V GEM 63 with 10 percent more total impulse. The case is graphite-epoxy composite, 63 inches across and 21.9 metres long, and the throttle profile is built into the shape of the propellant grain.",
        "parts": [
          "GEM 63XL motors",
          "GEM 63XL motor case",
          "GEM 63XL nozzle",
          "GEM 63XL propellant grain"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "materials": [
      {
        "name": "Aluminium",
        "mid": "aluminium",
        "where": "Orthogrid panels and spun-formed domes of the booster tanks, welded by friction stir welding. ULA does not name the alloy."
      },
      {
        "name": "Stainless steel",
        "mid": "stainless-steel",
        "where": "The thin, pressure-stabilised Centaur V tank. No grade is given."
      },
      {
        "name": "Aluminium honeycomb",
        "mid": "aluminium-honeycomb-hexweb",
        "where": "The vented core of the fairing sandwich, under graphite-epoxy face sheets."
      },
      {
        "name": "Graphite-epoxy composite",
        "mid": "graphite-epoxy",
        "where": "The cases of the GEM 63XL boosters. ULA does not name the resin or fibre."
      },
      {
        "name": "Spray-on foam insulation",
        "mid": "sofi-spray-on-foam",
        "where": "Insulation on the cryogenic tanks, to limit boil-off in flight. ULA does not name the foam."
      },
      {
        "name": "Multilayer insulation",
        "mid": "multilayer-insulation-mli",
        "where": "Blankets that add insulation to the Centaur V tanks for long coasts."
      }
    ],
    "connections": "Two BE-4 engines from Blue Origin power the booster, and two RL10C-1-1A engines power the Centaur V. Northrop Grumman supplies the solid boosters. Vulcan replaces Atlas V and Delta IV Heavy, and it builds on Atlas V's Centaur stage and GEM 63 boosters. Its first flight carried the Peregrine lunar lander, and Amazon's Project Kuiper satellites and the Dream Chaser spaceplane are planned payloads.",
    "unknown": "ULA's user guide says nothing about alloys. The aluminium alloy of the booster tanks, the grade of the Centaur V stainless steel, and the resin and fibre in the fairing and booster cases are not named. Nor are the makers of valves, batteries and avionics boxes, or the supplier of Vulcan's RL10 engines.",
    "facts": [
      {
        "label": "BE-4 thrust",
        "value": "2446.5 kN (550k-lbf) sea level each, two engines"
      },
      {
        "label": "Liftoff thrust",
        "value": "over 3.3M pounds maximum"
      },
      {
        "label": "Booster diameter",
        "value": "5.4 m"
      },
      {
        "label": "Fairing length",
        "value": "15.5 m standard or 21.3 m long"
      },
      {
        "label": "Upper stage engines",
        "value": "two RL10C engines"
      },
      {
        "label": "Centaur V",
        "value": "5.4 m diameter, 11.7 m long, 120,000 lb propellant capacity"
      }
    ]
  },
  "specifications": [
    {
      "label": "BE-4 thrust",
      "value": "2446.5 kN (550k-lbf) sea level each, two engines",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
      "quote": "2446.5 kN (550k-lbf) thrust (Sea Level) each"
    },
    {
      "label": "Liftoff thrust",
      "value": "over 3.3M pounds maximum",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
      "quote": "The maximum launch vehicle thrust at liftoff is over 3.3M pounds"
    },
    {
      "label": "Fairing length",
      "value": "15.5 m standard or 21.3 m long",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
      "quote": "15.5-m (51-ft.) long PLF is the standard offering"
    },
    {
      "label": "Booster diameter",
      "value": "5.4 m",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
      "quote": "5.4-m Diameter Booster"
    },
    {
      "label": "Upper stage engines",
      "value": "two RL10C engines",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
      "quote": "Re-startable Dual RL10C engines"
    },
    {
      "label": "First flight (Cert-1)",
      "value": "8 Jan 2024, 2:18 a.m. EST, Space Launch Complex-41; Astrobotic Peregrine to a trans-lunar orbit",
      "source_url": "https://blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/cert-1-you-know-atlas-and-delta-now-meet-vulcan",
      "quote": "The inaugural United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket soared to historic heights on its first Certification flight test (Cert-1) on Jan. 8"
    },
    {
      "label": "First national security launch (USSF-106)",
      "value": "12 Aug 2025, VC4S, direct to geosynchronous orbit",
      "source_url": "https://ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/vulcan-ussf-106",
      "quote": "Launch Date and Time: Aug. 12, 2025 at 8:56 p.m. EDT (0056 UTC)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Centaur V size",
      "value": "5.4 m diameter, 11.7 m long, 120,000 lb propellant capacity",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
      "quote": "The Centaur upper stage is 5.4 m (17.7 ft) in diameter and 11.7 m (38.5 ft) long with a 120,000-lb propellant capacity."
    },
    {
      "label": "Vehicle height",
      "value": "about 61.6 m (202 ft) with the standard fairing; 67.4 m (221 ft) with the long fairing",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
      "quote": "The rocket’s height with the standard PLF is approximately 61.6 m (202 ft) and 67.4 m (221 ft) with the long PLF."
    },
    {
      "label": "RL10C-1-1A thrust",
      "value": "23,825 lbf (106 kN) each",
      "source_url": "https://ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/vulcan-ussf-106",
      "quote": "producing 23,825 pounds (106 kilo-Newtons) of thrust"
    },
    {
      "label": "GEM 63XL total mass and thrust",
      "value": "117,700 lb (53,400 kg); maximum thrust 463,249 lbf; 864 in long",
      "source_url": "https://northropgrumman.com/space/-/wp-content/uploads/GEM-63-GEM-63XL-Datasheet.pdf",
      "quote": "Total Mass 108,600 lb (49,300 kg) 117,700 lb (53,400 kg)"
    },
    {
      "label": "GEM 63XL maximum thrust",
      "value": "463,249 lbf",
      "source_url": "https://northropgrumman.com/space/-/wp-content/uploads/GEM-63-GEM-63XL-Datasheet.pdf",
      "quote": "Maximum Thrust 370,835 lbf 463,249 lbf"
    },
    {
      "label": "GEM 63XL length",
      "value": "864 in (2,195 cm); longest single-cast solid motor produced",
      "source_url": "https://northropgrumman.com/space/-/wp-content/uploads/GEM-63-GEM-63XL-Datasheet.pdf",
      "quote": "the GEM 63XL is the longest monolithic, single-cast solid rocket motor ever produced"
    },
    {
      "label": "SRB burn",
      "value": "about a minute and a half, then jettisoned",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
      "quote": "The SRBs burn for approximately a minute and a half"
    },
    {
      "label": "Launch manifest at first flight",
      "value": "more than 70 launches on the manifest",
      "source_url": "https://blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/vulcan-centaur-the-countdown-to-the-first-certification-flight-is-on",
      "quote": "More than 70 Vulcan launches are currently on the manifest"
    }
  ],
  "features": [
    {
      "text": "Four-character configuration name gives SRB count and fairing length",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
      "quote": "Number of SRBs"
    },
    {
      "text": "Multi-manifest missions need the long fairing",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
      "quote": "the long PLF is required"
    }
  ],
  "parts": [
    {
      "assembly": "Booster",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Booster propellant tanks",
          "material": "aluminum (orthogrid panels)",
          "form": "orthogrid tanks, friction stir welded",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The Vulcan booster is made of aluminum orthogrid tanks",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
          "profile": "aluminium",
          "mid": "aluminium"
        },
        {
          "part": "Booster tank panels and domes",
          "material": "aluminum (alloy not stated)",
          "form": "brakepress-formed orthogrid panels, friction stir welded tanks/domes",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Brakepress-formed Orthogrid panels",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
          "profile": "aluminium",
          "mid": "aluminium"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Centaur V upper stage",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Centaur V propellant tank",
          "material": "stainless steel (grade not stated)",
          "form": "pressure stabilized tank",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Centaur V uses a pressure stabilized stainless steel tank",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "stainless-steel"
        },
        {
          "part": "RL10C-1-1A engines (x2)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "powered by two RL10C-1-1A engines producing 23,825 pounds (106 kilo-Newtons) of thrust",
          "source_url": "https://ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/vulcan-ussf-106",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Restartable hydrogen/oxygen upper-stage engines",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Guide designation",
              "value": "Dual RL10C engines, re-startable",
              "quote": "Re-startable Dual RL10C engines",
              "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Centaur V LH2 and LO2 tanks with common bulkhead and aft bulkhead",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The Centaur upper stage is 5.4 m (17.7 ft) in diameter and 11.7 m (38.5 ft) long with a 120,000-lb propellant capacity.",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Cryogenic propellant tanks of the stage",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Key-list parts",
              "value": "Centaur LH2 tank, LO2 tank, common bulkhead, aft bulkhead",
              "quote": "Centaur Fuel (LH2) Tank",
              "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf"
            },
            {
              "label": "Aft bulkhead",
              "value": "Centaur aft bulkhead listed in the fact sheet key",
              "quote": "Centaur Aft Bulkhead",
              "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Centaur V LH2 feedline",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Centaur Fuel (LH2) Feedline",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Carries liquid hydrogen to the engines"
        },
        {
          "part": "Spray-on foam insulation (SOFI)",
          "material": "spray-on foam insulation (foam type not stated)",
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The cryogenic tanks are insulated with spray-on foam insulation (SOFI) to manage boil off of cryogens during flight.",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "sofi-spray-on-foam",
          "function": "Cuts cryogen boil-off in flight"
        },
        {
          "part": "Multilayer insulation (MLI) blankets and radiation shields",
          "material": "multilayer insulation (MLI) blankets",
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "multilayer insulation (MLI) blankets, radiation shields and spray-on foam insulation (SOFI)",
          "source_url": "https://ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/vulcan-ussf-106",
          "profile": "multilayer-insulation-mli",
          "mid": "multilayer-insulation-mli",
          "function": "Added tank insulation for long coast"
        },
        {
          "part": "Aft equipment shelf",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "A fault-tolerant avionics system is mounted on an aft equipment shelf.",
          "source_url": "https://ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/vulcan-ussf-106",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Structural mounting for the fault-tolerant avionics"
        },
        {
          "part": "Centaur V launch vehicle forward adapter (LVFA)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "mounted to the Centaur V Launch Vehicle Forward Adapter (LVFA)",
          "source_url": "https://ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/vulcan-ussf-106",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Mounts the payload attach fitting on top of the stage"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Payload fairing",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "5.4-m payload fairing",
          "material": "composite (type not stated)",
          "form": "standard 15.5 m or long 21.3 m",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Composite 5.4m Payload",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "fibre-reinforced-polymer-composite"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Payload attach fitting",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "1575 PAF",
          "material": "composite fiber reinforced polymer / aluminum honeycomb",
          "form": "structure with metallic interface rings",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "composite fiber reinforced polymer/aluminum honeycomb structure with metallic forward and aft interface rings",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "fibre-reinforced-polymer-composite"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Solid rocket boosters",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "GEM 63XL motors",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Stretched version of Atlas V GEM 63 with 10% greater total impulse",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Booster (first stage)",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "BE-4 engines (x2)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": "Supplier: Blue Origin",
          "quote": "Blue Origin BE-4 main engines, each delivering 2446.5-kN",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "First-stage main engines, liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Sea-level thrust per engine",
              "value": "2446.5 kN (550,000 lbf)",
              "quote": "2446.5 kN (550k-lbf) thrust (Sea Level) each",
              "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf"
            },
            {
              "label": "Propellants",
              "value": "LO2 and LNG (liquefied natural gas / methane)",
              "quote": "The liquefied natural gas (LNG) / methane fueled booster will be powered by a pair of BE-4 engines",
              "source_url": "https://ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/vulcan-ussf-106"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Booster liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel tank",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Booster Fuel (LNG) Tank",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Holds the methane fuel for the BE-4 engines",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Booster size",
              "value": "5.4 m diameter, 33.3 m long",
              "quote": "The Vulcan Centaur booster is 5.4 m (17.7 ft) in diameter and 33.3 m (109.2 ft) long.",
              "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Booster liquid oxygen (LO2) tank",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Booster Oxidizer (LO2) Tank",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Holds the oxidizer; over a million pounds of LO2 and LNG in total",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Propellant load",
              "value": "over a million pounds of LO2 and LNG",
              "quote": "hold over a million pounds of liquid oxygen and liquid natural gas",
              "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Booster common bulkhead",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "spun-formed aluminum domes with a common bulkhead",
          "source_url": "https://ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/vulcan-ussf-106",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Shared dome between the oxygen and natural gas tanks"
        },
        {
          "part": "Booster LO2 feedline",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Booster Oxidizer (LO2) Feedline",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Carries oxidizer to the engines"
        },
        {
          "part": "Interstage adapter",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Interstage Adapter",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Joins the booster to the Centaur V"
        },
        {
          "part": "Booster propellant utilization system",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The BE-4 engine shutdown sequence is initiated when depletion of booster propellants is indicated by the propellant utilization system.",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Signals depletion so the BE-4 shutdown sequence can start"
        },
        {
          "part": "Friction-stir welded tank barrels and domes",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": "Supplier: PAR Systems (welding machines)",
          "quote": "designing and engineering two state-of-the-art Friction Stir Welding machines to meet the precise requirements needed for manufacturing of Vulcan’s cryogenic tanks",
          "source_url": "https://www.par.com/2024/01/08/par-systems-friction-stir-welding-technology-propels-ula-vulcan-centaur-to-new-heights-in-space-exploration/",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Welded on PAR Systems friction stir machines at ULA Decatur"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Solid rocket boosters (GEM 63XL)",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "GEM 63XL motor case",
          "material": "graphite-epoxy composite (resin and fibre grades not stated)",
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": "Supplier: Northrop Grumman",
          "quote": "are constructed of a graphite-epoxy composite with the throttle profile designed into the propellant grain",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "graphite-epoxy",
          "function": "Graphite-epoxy composite pressure case",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Size",
              "value": "160 cm (63 in) diameter, 21.9 m (71.8 ft) long",
              "quote": "with a diameter of 160 cm (63 in) and a length of 21.9 m (71.8 ft)",
              "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "GEM 63XL nozzle",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Solid Rocket Booster Nozzle",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Fixed exhaust nozzle of each solid motor",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Exit plane diameter",
              "value": "56 in (142 cm)",
              "quote": "Exit Plan Diameter 54 in. (137 cm) 56 in. (142 cm)",
              "source_url": "https://northropgrumman.com/space/-/wp-content/uploads/GEM-63-GEM-63XL-Datasheet.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "GEM 63XL nose cone",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Nose Cone",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Aerodynamic cap of each solid motor"
        },
        {
          "part": "GEM 63XL propellant grain",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Solid Rocket Propellant",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Throttle profile is designed into the grain shape",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Propellant mass",
              "value": "105,900 lb (48,000 kg)",
              "quote": "Propellant Mass 97,500 lb (44,200 kg) 105,900 lb (48,000 kg)",
              "source_url": "https://northropgrumman.com/space/-/wp-content/uploads/GEM-63-GEM-63XL-Datasheet.pdf"
            },
            {
              "label": "Burn time",
              "value": "87.3 s",
              "quote": "Burn Time 97.6 sec 87.3 sec",
              "source_url": "https://northropgrumman.com/space/-/wp-content/uploads/GEM-63-GEM-63XL-Datasheet.pdf"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Payload fairing and adapters",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Payload fairing sandwich construction (refines the existing 5.4 m fairing row)",
          "material": "graphite-epoxy face sheets over a vented aluminium-honeycomb core",
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "a sandwich composite structure made with a vented aluminum-honeycomb core and graphite-epoxy face sheets",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": "aluminium-honeycomb-hexweb",
          "mid": "aluminium-honeycomb-hexweb",
          "function": "Two-piece bisector shell around the spacecraft"
        },
        {
          "part": "Payload fairing separation system",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The PLF separates using a debris-free horizontal and vertical separation system with spring packs and frangible joint assembly.",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Debris-free horizontal and vertical separation"
        },
        {
          "part": "Fairing acoustic panels",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Fairing Acoustic Panels",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Cut acoustic loads on the payload"
        },
        {
          "part": "Payload fairing access doors (up to x2) and ECS inlet",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The PLF has up to two standard access doors 180° apart",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Payload access and conditioned air through the upper cylinder"
        },
        {
          "part": "Payload adapters and separation systems (1575, 2624, 4991 mm interfaces)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "These components are designed to adapt to the 1575-mm, 2624-mm and 4991-mm interfaces",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "ULA-provided adapters to the payload interface"
        },
        {
          "part": "Payload fairing sandwich construction",
          "material": "graphite-epoxy face sheets over a vented aluminium-honeycomb core",
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "a sandwich composite structure made with a vented aluminum-honeycomb core and graphite-epoxy face sheets",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": "aluminium-honeycomb-hexweb",
          "mid": "aluminium-honeycomb-hexweb",
          "function": "Two-piece bisector shell around the spacecraft; names the material left as type-not-stated in the current fairing row"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Multi-manifest hardware",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Aft Bulkhead Carrier (ABC)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The Aft Bulkhead Carrier (ABC) interfaces at the aft end of the Centaur upper stage",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/rockets/vulcan-centaur",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Rideshare carrier at the aft end of the Centaur",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Capacity",
              "value": "up to 24U of CubeSats, 80 kg each",
              "quote": "can carry up to 24U CubeSats weighing 80 kg each",
              "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/rockets/vulcan-centaur"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "EELV secondary payload adapter (ESPA ring and ESPA Grande)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA Ring) is located between the upper stage and the primary payload",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/rockets/vulcan-centaur",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Ring that carries several small satellites around the primary payload",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "ESPA ring",
              "value": "1575 mm diameter, 609.6 mm tall, up to six spacecraft",
              "quote": "a 1575-mm (62-in) diameter, 609.6-mm (24-in) tall ring structure that can support up to six spacecraft around its circumference",
              "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Multi-Launch System: multi-launch adapter, aft payload attach fitting, internal canister",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "the Multi-Payload Canister System is a load-bearing separating canister that can be utilized to enclose an aft small satellite",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/rockets/vulcan-centaur",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Load-bearing canister that encloses an aft payload under a forward one"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Avionics",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Avionics system",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "controlled by an avionics system that provides guidance, flight control and vehicle sequencing functions during the booster and Centaur phases of flight",
          "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Guidance, flight control and sequencing in booster and Centaur phases"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "materials": [
    {
      "id": "aluminium",
      "name": "aluminum (alloy not stated)",
      "material_page": "https://spacemushroom.com/profiles/aluminium/"
    },
    {
      "id": "stainless-steel",
      "name": "stainless steel (grade not stated)",
      "material_page": null
    },
    {
      "id": "fibre-reinforced-polymer-composite",
      "name": "composite fiber reinforced polymer / aluminum honeycomb",
      "material_page": null
    },
    {
      "id": "sofi-spray-on-foam",
      "name": "spray-on foam insulation (foam type not stated)",
      "material_page": null
    },
    {
      "id": "multilayer-insulation-mli",
      "name": "multilayer insulation (MLI) blankets",
      "material_page": "https://spacemushroom.com/profiles/multilayer-insulation-mli/"
    },
    {
      "id": "graphite-epoxy",
      "name": "graphite-epoxy composite (resin and fibre grades not stated)",
      "material_page": null
    },
    {
      "id": "aluminium-honeycomb-hexweb",
      "name": "graphite-epoxy face sheets over a vented aluminium-honeycomb core",
      "material_page": "https://spacemushroom.com/profiles/aluminium-honeycomb-hexweb/"
    }
  ],
  "standards": [],
  "relations": [
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "BE-4 engine",
      "target_slug": "blue-origin-be-4",
      "note": "Booster: two engines, each 550,000 lbf at sea level",
      "quote": "Vulcan Centaur booster propulsion is provided by a pair of BE-4 engines, each producing 550,000 lbs of thrust.",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "RL10 engine",
      "target_slug": "ula-rl10",
      "note": "Centaur V: two RL10C-1-1A engines, 23,825 lbf each",
      "quote": "powered by two RL10C-1-1A engines producing 23,825 pounds (106 kilo-Newtons) of thrust",
      "source_url": "https://ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/vulcan-ussf-106"
    },
    {
      "type": "heritage_of",
      "target": "Atlas V",
      "target_slug": "ula-atlas-v",
      "note": "Reuses Atlas V Centaur and GEM 63 heritage; stretched GEM 63XL",
      "quote": "Stretched version of Atlas V GEM 63 with 10% greater total impulse",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "successor_of",
      "target": "Atlas V",
      "target_slug": "ula-atlas-v",
      "note": "Replaces Atlas V (with Delta IV Heavy)",
      "quote": "Vulcan combines the best of today's Atlas V and Delta IV Heavy rockets with the latest technology advancements",
      "source_url": "https://blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/vulcan-centaur-the-countdown-to-the-first-certification-flight-is-on"
    },
    {
      "type": "successor_of",
      "target": "Delta IV Heavy",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "Replaces Delta IV Heavy",
      "quote": "Vulcan combines the best of today's Atlas V and Delta IV Heavy rockets with the latest technology advancements",
      "source_url": "https://blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/vulcan-centaur-the-countdown-to-the-first-certification-flight-is-on"
    },
    {
      "type": "supplied_by",
      "target": "Blue Origin",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "Main engines of the booster",
      "quote": "Blue Origin BE-4 main engines",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "supplied_by",
      "target": "Northrop Grumman",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters (zero, two, four or six)",
      "quote": "Northrop Grumman Space Systems GEM 63XL Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs)",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "supplied_by",
      "target": "PAR Systems",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "Built the friction stir welding machines used on the cryogenic tanks",
      "quote": "designing and engineering two state-of-the-art Friction Stir Welding machines",
      "source_url": "https://www.par.com/2024/01/08/par-systems-friction-stir-welding-technology-propels-ula-vulcan-centaur-to-new-heights-in-space-exploration/"
    },
    {
      "type": "operated_by",
      "target": "United Launch Alliance",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "Joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing",
      "quote": "It is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin Corporation and The Boeing Company",
      "source_url": "https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/2023_vulcan_user_guide.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "Primary payload of the first flight (Cert-1)",
      "quote": "send the Astrobotic Peregrine commercial lunar lander to reach the Moon",
      "source_url": "https://blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/vulcan-centaur-the-countdown-to-the-first-certification-flight-is-on"
    },
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "Amazon Project Kuiper satellites",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "38 Vulcan launches planned to deploy most of the constellation",
      "quote": "38 launches to deploy a majority of Amazon's Project Kuiper",
      "source_url": "https://blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/vulcan-centaur-the-countdown-to-the-first-certification-flight-is-on"
    },
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser spaceplane",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "Planned cargo flights to the International Space Station",
      "quote": "the orbital delivery of Sierra Nevada Corp.'s Dream Chaser reusable spaceplane on cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station",
      "source_url": "https://blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/vulcan-centaur-the-countdown-to-the-first-certification-flight-is-on"
    }
  ],
  "not_published": "Aluminum alloy, stainless grade and fairing composite not stated; GEM 63XL case and propellant materials not stated in this guide; BE-4 and RL10 internals not covered; first flight date not in the guide. More detail: The 2023 user guide has no vehicle-description chapter, so booster and Centaur V internals come from ULA fact sheets and the USSF-106 page. Not published in the pages read: aluminium alloy of the booster tanks, stainless grade of Centaur V, resin and fibre of the fairing and GEM 63XL case, RL10C-1-1A internals, and the makers of valves, batteries, avionics boxes and the Centaur V forward adapter. The RL10 maker for Vulcan is not named in these ULA pages (ULA's Atlas V page names L3Harris for RL10C-1). The fairing sandwich statement (graphite-epoxy faces over vented aluminium honeycomb) resolves the 'composite (type not stated)' row in the current entry, and the GEM 63XL case statement resolves the missing SRB case material. More detail: The 2023 user guide has no vehicle-description chapter, so booster and Centaur V internals come from ULA fact sheets and the USSF-106 page. Not published in the pages read: aluminium alloy of the booster tanks, stainless grade of Centaur V, resin and fibre of the fairing and GEM 63XL case, RL10C-1-1A internals, and the makers of valves, batteries, avionics boxes and the Centaur V forward adapter. The RL10 maker for Vulcan is not named in these ULA pages (ULA's Atlas V page names L3Harris for RL10C-1). The fairing sandwich statement (graphite-epoxy faces over vented aluminium honeycomb) resolves the 'composite (type not stated)' row in the current entry, and the GEM 63XL case statement resolves the missing SRB case material.",
  "depth": "partial",
  "photos": [
    {
      "file": "products/context/ula-vulcan-centaur-1.jpg",
      "alt": "Vulcan launching at sunset from Cape Canaveral, ULA vehicle assembly tower beside the pad",
      "long": "Vulcan launching at sunset from Cape Canaveral, ULA vehicle assembly tower beside the pad",
      "kind": "product",
      "credit": "U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Collin Wesson | This image was released by the United States Space Force with the ID 241004-X-PM547-1033 (next). This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing. العربية ∙",
      "license": "Public domain",
      "page_url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vulcan_Cert_2_Launch_(8699035).jpg"
    },
    {
      "file": "products/context/ula-vulcan-centaur-2.jpg",
      "alt": "Vulcan VC2S lifting off at night from Cape Canaveral",
      "long": "Vulcan VC2S lifting off at night from Cape Canaveral",
      "kind": "product",
      "credit": "U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Spencer Contreras | This image was released by the United States Space Force with the ID 240108-X-NM958-1016 (next). This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing. العرب",
      "license": "Public domain",
      "page_url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ULA%27s_Vulcan_VC2S_rocket_launch_(8192710).jpg"
    },
    {
      "file": "products/context/ula-vulcan-centaur-3.jpg",
      "alt": "Vulcan Centaur first stage standing in its launch tower at SLC-41 with ULA lettering",
      "long": "Vulcan Centaur first stage standing in its launch tower at SLC-41 with ULA lettering",
      "kind": "product",
      "credit": "Kim Shiflett | https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20210826-PH-KLS01_0048",
      "license": "Public domain",
      "page_url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ULA_Vulcan_Rocket_Unveiled_at_SLC-41_(KSC-20210826-PH-KLS01_0048).jpg"
    }
  ],
  "context": {
    "size": [],
    "mass": [],
    "orbit": []
  },
  "licence": "Product data CC BY 4.0, cite Space Mushroom. Photos keep their own licences, given per photo.",
  "mcp": "https://spacemushroom.com/mcp"
}