ULA has dubbed its next generation rocket Vulcan
ULA has announced its plans for replacing the Delta and Atlas 5 rockets, dubbing its new rocket Vulcan.
They plan to develop Vulcan’s first stage first and use it initially on Atlas 5 rockets so they can replace the Atlas 5 Russian engines as soon as possible. Also, they plan to recover the Vulcan rocket’s engines by having them separate from the booster after use and then get captured in a mid-air before hitting the ground. (See the graphic at the link to see a launch profile.)
In watching the press conference, ULA officials made it very clear that they are focusing a lot of their effort on lowering the cost of the rocket.
ULA has announced its plans for replacing the Delta and Atlas 5 rockets, dubbing its new rocket Vulcan.
They plan to develop Vulcan’s first stage first and use it initially on Atlas 5 rockets so they can replace the Atlas 5 Russian engines as soon as possible. Also, they plan to recover the Vulcan rocket’s engines by having them separate from the booster after use and then get captured in a mid-air before hitting the ground. (See the graphic at the link to see a launch profile.)
In watching the press conference, ULA officials made it very clear that they are focusing a lot of their effort on lowering the cost of the rocket.