Vulcan Centaur Rocket ready for launch for the second time on October 4

Science: United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) new Vulcan Centaur rocket is ready for its second launch, scheduled for Friday (Oct. 4). ULA today (Oct. 2) conducted a Launch Readiness Review (LRR) for Vulcan Centaur’s second mission, a test flight called Cert-2 designed to help certify the rocket for use by the U.S. Space Force. And everything went well.

“ULA and Space Force leadership assessed the readiness of the rocket, payload and mission assets, discussed the status of pre-flight processing work, listened to technical observations of the countdown and flight, and previewed the weather forecast, which indicates a 75% probability of meeting launch regulations,” ULA wrote in an update today. “At the conclusion of the meeting, senior leaders were consulted and given a launch-ready status, then signed off on the Launch Readiness Certificate.” We are “ready” for the launch of the #VulcanRocket on the #Cert2 flight test! The launch window will open Friday at 6 a.m. EDT (1000 UTC) from Cape Canaveral, FL. https://t.co/eWLyIiIUE6 pic.twitter.com/kWQ1nIvZ1bOct. 2, 2024
Cert-2 will take off from Space Launch Complex-41 (SLC-41) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, during a three-hour window that will open at 6 a.m. EDT (1000 GMT). ULA landed the Vulcan Centaur on that pad on Monday (Sept. 30). On Tuesday (Oct. 1), the company conducted a crucial “wet dress rehearsal” with the rocket, fueling it, performing a practice countdown and then unloading propellant. “We accomplished all of that,” ULA CEO Tory Bruno told reporters during a media call Wednesday (Oct. 2). “It went very, very well according to plan.”