# Vulcan

> United Launch Alliance launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q19816744](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19816744)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcan_Centaur)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vulcan

## Summary
Vulcan is a heavy-lift launch vehicle developed and manufactured by United Launch Alliance (ULA). It is designed to carry substantial payloads into low-Earth orbit and had its maiden flight on January 8, 2024. As a next-generation rocket, it serves as a successor to ULA's previous launch systems.

## Key Facts
*   **Manufacturer**: United Launch Alliance
*   **First Flight**: January 8, 2024
*   **Classification**: Heavy-lift launch vehicle, rocket series
*   **Height**: 61.6 meters
*   **Diameter**: 5.4 meters
*   **Mass**: 546,700 kilograms
*   **Country of Origin**: United States
*   **Aliases**: Vulcan rocket, Vulcan Centaur, Vulcan ACES, Next Generation Launch System (NGLS)
*   **Key Components**: Centaur V upper stage, GEM-63XL solid rocket boosters
*   **Use**: Orbital launch vehicle for carrying payloads into outer space

## FAQs
### Q: What is Vulcan?
A: Vulcan is a heavy-lift launch vehicle manufactured by United Launch Alliance (ULA). It is designed to transport large payloads, such as satellites and spacecraft, into various Earth orbits and beyond.

### Q: Who manufactures the Vulcan rocket?
A: The Vulcan rocket is manufactured by United Launch Alliance (ULA), an American aerospace manufacturer that provides launch services to the U.S. government and commercial customers.

### Q: When was Vulcan's first flight?
A: Vulcan's maiden flight occurred on January 8, 2024. This significant event took place from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.

### Q: What are the dimensions of the Vulcan rocket?
A: The Vulcan rocket stands 61.6 meters tall, has a diameter of 5.4 meters, and a mass of 546,700 kilograms.

### Q: What types of payloads does Vulcan carry?
A: As a heavy-lift launch vehicle, Vulcan is capable of carrying diverse and heavy payloads. These include experimental military navigation satellites like Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3), space surveillance satellites such as GSSAP-7 and GSSAP-8, and commercial lunar landing missions like Peregrine Mission One.

## Why It Matters
Vulcan represents a significant advancement in space launch capabilities, particularly for the United States and its partners. As a heavy-lift launch vehicle, it is crucial for deploying large and complex payloads, including critical national security satellites, advanced scientific instruments, and commercial missions. Its development by United Launch Alliance (ULA) as the "Next Generation Launch System" (NGLS) positions it as a successor to previous ULA rockets, ensuring continued access to space for a wide range of missions. The successful maiden flight in early 2024 marked a new era for ULA, demonstrating its ability to meet evolving demands for reliable and powerful space transportation. Vulcan's role in launching diverse payloads, from military navigation satellites to lunar landers, underscores its versatility and importance in supporting both governmental and commercial space endeavors, contributing to global space exploration, defense, and technological innovation.

## Notable For
*   **Next-Generation Heavy-Lift Capability**: Positioned as the "Next Generation Launch System" (NGLS) by United Launch Alliance, designed for heavy payloads.
*   **Maiden Flight in 2024**: Successfully completed its first flight on January 8, 2024, carrying the Peregrine Mission One lunar lander.
*   **Advanced Upper Stage**: Features the Centaur V upper stage, an evolution of the highly reliable Centaur stage.
*   **Modular Solid Rocket Boosters**: Utilizes GEM-63XL solid rocket boosters to augment its lift capacity.
*   **Versatile Payload Support**: Capable of launching a wide array of missions, from military surveillance and navigation satellites (e.g., NTS-3, GSSAP-7/8) to commercial lunar missions.

## Body

### Overview
Vulcan is a heavy-lift launch vehicle developed and manufactured by United Launch Alliance (ULA). It is classified as a rocket series and is designed to carry payloads into outer space. It is also known by several aliases, including Vulcan rocket, Vulcan Centaur, Vulcan ACES, and Next Generation Launch System (NGLS). The rocket's country of origin is the United States.

### Specifications
The Vulcan rocket has a height of 61.6 meters and a diameter of 5.4 meters. Its total mass is 546,700 kilograms.

### Components
The Vulcan launch vehicle incorporates several key components. It features the Centaur V as its upper stage. For additional thrust, it utilizes GEM-63XL solid rocket boosters.

### First Flight
The maiden flight of the Vulcan rocket occurred on January 8, 2024. This significant event took place from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.

### Payloads and Missions
As a heavy-lift launch vehicle, Vulcan is designed to support a variety of missions and payloads. Notable related entities and potential payloads include:
*   **Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3)**: An American experimental military navigation satellite.
*   **USA-554**: An undisclosed military satellite.
*   **GSSAP-7**: An American near-geosynchronous space surveillance satellite.
*   **GSSAP-8**: An American near-geosynchronous space surveillance satellite.
*   **Peregrine Mission One**: A former commercial lunar landing mission, which was carried on Vulcan's first flight.

### Classification
Vulcan is categorized as a heavy-lift launch vehicle, capable of lifting heavy payloads to low-Earth orbit. It is also an instance of a rocket series.

### Branding and Identification
The official native label for the rocket is Vulcan Centaur. Its logo is available at `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Vulcan_logo.svg`, and an image of its rollout is at `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Vulcan_Centaur_rollout_(Peregrine)_(cropped_2).jpg`. It is distinct from "Vulcain," which is a different entity.

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Vulcan",
  "description": "United Launch Alliance launch vehicle",
  "sameAs": [
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  ],
  "manufacturer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "United Launch Alliance"
  },
  "logo": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Vulcan_logo.svg",
  "image": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Vulcan_Centaur_rollout_(Peregrine)_(cropped_2).jpg",
  "height": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": 61.6,
    "unitCode": "MTR"
  },
  "width": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": 5.4,
    "unitCode": "MTR"
  },
  "weight": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": 546700,
    "unitCode": "KGM"
  },
  "dateCreated": "2024-01-08",
  "countryOfOrigin": "United States"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/vulcancentaur.pdf)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/vulcan.htm)