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Vulcan·United Launch Alliance

Vulcan VC6L

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Specifications

Status
active
Height
67.4 m
Diameter
5.4 m
Mass
877,000 kg
Stages
2
Thrust
18,110 kN
Payload to LEO
27,200 kg
Payload to GTO
15,300 kg
Total launches
0
Success / Fail
0 / 0

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.

Propulsion

Boosters

2×GEM 631,663 kN
solid (HTPB) · solid
Northrop GrummanIsp 279s (vac)since 20200–6 strap-ons

First stage

2×BE-42,400 kN
CH4 / LOX · staged-combustion
Blue OriginIsp 340s (vac)since 2024

Second stage

2×RL10110 kN
LH2 / LOX · expander
Aerojet RocketdyneIsp 451s (vac)since 1963Centaur V