# Centaur V+

> American rocket stage and space tug

**Wikidata**: [Q124651637](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124651637)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/centaur-v-q124651637

## Summary
The Centaur V+ is an American rocket stage and space tug manufactured by United Launch Alliance. It is a specialized model within the wider Centaur family, designed to facilitate orbital transfers and interplanetary trajectories. Measuring 11.7 meters in length and 5.4 meters in diameter, it is operated by the United Launch Alliance and powered by two RL-10C-X engines.

## Key Facts
*   **Aliases:** Centaur V Upgrade, Centaur 5+, Centaur 5 Upgrade
*   **Class:** Rocket model; Subclass of Centaur
*   **Manufacturer:** United Launch Alliance
*   **Operator:** United Launch Alliance
*   **Country of Origin:** United States
*   **Length:** 11.7 metres
*   **Diameter:** 5.4 metres
*   **Propulsion:** Powered by 2 RL-10C-X engines
*   **Function:** Serves as a rocket stage and space tug

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Centaur V+?
A: The Centaur V+ is an American rocket stage and space tug model manufactured by United Launch Alliance. It acts as a subclass of the broader Centaur rocket family.

### Q: What are the technical specifications of the Centaur V+?
A: The stage has a length of 11.7 metres and a diameter of 5.4 metres. It is powered by two RL-10C-X engines.

### Q: Who builds and operates the Centaur V+?
A: The Centaur V+ is both manufactured and operated by the United Launch Alliance in the United States.

### Q: How does the Centaur V+ relate to the standard Centaur rocket?
A: The Centaur V+ is a specific model (subclass) of the Centaur family, which has been used as a space tug since its first flight in 1962.

## Why It Matters
The Centaur V+ represents the continued evolution of the Centaur family, a lineage of rocket stages critical to United States space exploration since 1962. As a space tug, it provides the essential capability to transfer payloads between orbits or direct them toward interplanetary trajectories, a function that expands the scope of possible space missions. By utilizing the RL-10C-X engine, this model upholds the reliability standards required for complex orbital maneuvers. Its development by United Launch Alliance ensures support for modern launch requirements, maintaining the strategic availability of upper-stage propulsion for payloads ranging from satellites to deep space explorers.

## Notable For
*   **Enhanced Dimensions:** Features a specific diameter of 5.4 metres and length of 11.7 metres, distinguishing it from other variants in the rocket family.
*   **Advanced Propulsion:** Utilizes the RL-10C-X engine configuration (2 units), marking a specific technological application within the Centaur class.
*   **Lineage:** Extends the legacy of the Centaur family, which is historically noted as the first rocket stage family to act as a space tug starting in 1962.
*   **Nomenclature:** Known by multiple designations, including Centaur 5+ and Centaur V Upgrade, reflecting its status as an upgraded variant.

## Body
### Overview and Classification
The Centaur V+ is a rocket model and space tug originating from the United States. It is classified as a distinct model within the broader "Centaur" family of rocket stages. The entity serves as a subclass of the main Centaur line, inheriting the foundational design principles of a space tug while incorporating specific structural and mechanical upgrades. It is also identified by the aliases "Centaur V Upgrade," "Centaur 5+," and "Centaur 5 Upgrade."

### Design and Specifications
Structurally, the Centaur V+ is defined by precise measurements crucial for its integration into launch vehicles. The stage has a total length of 11.7 metres and a diameter of 5.4 metres. These dimensions facilitate its role in housing propellants and interfacing with payload fairings.

The stage's propulsion system is centered on the RL-10C-X engine. Unlike some variants which may use different configurations or older versions of the RL-10, the Centaur V+ is explicitly powered by two RL-10C-X units. This engine configuration allows the stage to perform the precise burns required for orbital insertion and departure.

### Manufacturing and Operation
The Centaur V+ is wholly managed within the United States industrial base. The manufacturer and operator of the stage is the United Launch Alliance (ULA). This alignment ensures that the production and mission management of the stage are integrated under a single entity, streamlining the process from factory to flight.

### Historical and Familial Context
As a subclass of the Centaur, the V+ benefits from a long history of rocket development. The parent Centaur family first flew in 1962 and has been utilized by a variety of launch systems, including the Atlas-Centaur, Atlas I, II, III, V, and the Vulcan. While the parent family was historically associated with manufacturers like Boeing Defense, Space & Security, the Centaur V+ specifically represents the modern era of production under United Launch Alliance. The family as a whole is noted for its role in space exploration, including lunar impactor missions and interplanetary exploration.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf)