ULA Successfully Launches Vulcan Rocket on Cert-2 Mission from SLC-41 at 7:25 a.m. EDT

Oct 4, 2024, 10:30 AM

United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched its Vulcan rocket on the Cert-2 mission from Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch occurred at 7:25 a.m. EDT (1125 UTC) after a brief delay from the initially scheduled time. This mission marks the second certification flight for the Vulcan Centaur rocket, which is required for the vehicle to fly critical national security missions. The Cert-2 mission included an inert payload and demonstrations related to future Centaur V technologies. The rocket's first stage, powered by BE-4 engines, performed nominally, and the Centaur upper stage, equipped with RL-10 engines, successfully reached orbit, simulating payload separation. This mission is a significant step in certifying the Vulcan rocket for future operations.