United Launch Alliance retargeted the return-to-flight launch of its Vulcan rocket for November 15 following a second ground systems issue at its Cape Canaveral Space Force Station launch site, Aviation Week reported.
The vehicle carries 40 satellites for Amazon’s broadband constellation and is slated to lift off at 12:11 p.m. EST, according to Aviation Week. This mission marks the first of 38 Vulcan rocket launches for Amazon, following eight missions for Amazon Leo flown on the Atlas V rocket, Via Satellite reported.
“Larger rockets and more frequent launches are critical to scaling our constellation and getting service to customers, and the Vulcan program is designed to deliver on both dimensions,” Melissa Wuerl, director of launch systems for Amazon Leo, told Via Satellite.
Wuerl added that the mission starts a sprint of Vulcan launches, noting that the rocket will launch close to half of the first-generation constellation and serve as the primary workhorse over the next several years.
Ground Equipment Caused Launch Delay
The Saturday morning launch attempt was initially scheduled for 12:32 p.m. EST before a network communication issue developed between ground equipment and the launch vehicle, FOX 35 Orlando reported. The issue required a reconfiguration that extended the hold beyond the available 29-minute launch window, prompting officials to postpone the countdown, FOX 35 Orlando reported.
That communication glitch followed an earlier power interruption in the Air Liquide gaseous nitrogen plant that resulted in the loss of high-pressure pumps, Via Satellite reported. Despite the ground delays, United Launch Alliance reported that both the Vulcan rocket and the Amazon Leo 1 spacecraft remain healthy, FOX 35 Orlando reported.
Solid Rocket Booster Upgrades
The flight serves as the return-to-flight mission for Vulcan following a suspension that began in February after an anomaly occurred with the solid rocket boosters built by Northrop Grumman, Via Satellite reported. Although a February launch for the U.S. Space Force succeeded, the military branch suspended subsequent Vulcan flights for the National Security Space Launch program to resolve the booster anomaly, Via Satellite reported.
United Launch Alliance worked alongside its team, Northrop Grumman, the Space Force, and government agencies to investigate the issue, resulting in nozzle modifications that underwent full testing before the reset, Via Satellite reported. The rocket flies in the Vulcan VC6L configuration, featuring the optimized Centaur V upper stage and six side-mounted solid rocket boosters, Via Satellite reported.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Vulcan Launch
What payload is aboard the Vulcan rocket?
The rocket carries 40 satellites for Amazon’s broadband constellation on the Amazon Leo 1 mission, FOX 35 Orlando reported.
Why was the February launch suspended?
The U.S. Space Force suspended Vulcan launches after an anomaly occurred with the Northrop Grumman solid rocket boosters during a previous mission, Via Satellite reported.
Where is the launch taking place?
The vehicle stands on Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, FOX 35 Orlando reported.
The next launch attempt is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, at 12:11 p.m. EST, pending range approval, FOX 35 Orlando reported.
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