CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE — On Sunday afternoon, United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno announced the Christmas Eve maiden flight of the new Vulcan Centaur rocket has been pushed back.
What You Need To Know
- The new launch is set for the new year
- It will be the first launch of the Vulcan Centaur rocket
- The rocket is set to replace ULA's Atlas V and the Delta IV rockets
Announcing on X, formerly known as Twitter, Bruno stated the Dec. 8 wet dress rehearsal saw that the Vulcan Centaur rocket did well but he admitted that there were a couple of “routine” issues with the ground system that are being corrected.
He said he would like to have a full wet dress rehearsal before the first flight, so the Christmas Eve launch that many hoped for is “likely out” and the new launch date is Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
#VulcanRocket WDR update: Vehicle performed well. Ground system had a couple of (routine) issues, (being corrected). Ran the timeline long so we didn't quite finish. I'd like a FULL WDR before our first flight, so XMAS eve is likely out. Next Peregrine window is 8 Jan.
— Tory Bruno (@torybruno) December 10, 2023
It will take place at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
In October 2023, Bruno announced that the Vulcan Centaur’s maiden flight (called Cert-1 flight test mission) will have two payloads: Astrobotic, which will carry a commercial lunar lander. And a payload for Celestis, which will contain the ashes of people who wanted to be buried in space.
ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket is set to be the successor of the company’s two popular rockets: The Atlas V and the Delta IV.
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