Vulcan VC4L

Active

United Launch Alliance (ULA)

None

Description

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.

Specifications
  • Stages
    2
  • Length
    67.4 m
  • Diameter
    5.4 m
  • Fairing Diameter
    5.4 m
  • Launch Mass
    770.0 T
  • Thrust
    13706.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Vulcan VC4L
  • Family
  • Variant
    VC4L
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Vulcan VC4L
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
  • Low Earth Orbit
    24600.0 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
    11700.0 kg
  • Direct Geostationary
    4900.0 kg
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity
    20000.0 kg

United Launch Alliance

Commercial
Interim CEO: John Elbon
ULA 2006

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. ULA launches from both coasts of the US. They launch their Atlas V vehicle from LC-41 in Cape Canaveral and LC-3E at Vandeberg. Their Delta IV launches from LC-37 at Cape Canaveral and LC-6 at Vandenberg.

Upcoming Spaceflights


Vulcan VC4L | Dream Chaser CRS 2 Flight 1

United Launch Alliance | United States of America
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
TBD December, 2026
Status: To Be Determined
Mission:

First flight of the Dream Chaser Spaceplane, on a free-flying mission in Low Earth Orbit.

Low Earth Orbit
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Vulcan VC4L | Dream Chaser CRS 2 Flight 2

United Launch Alliance | United States of America
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
TBD December, 2027
Status: To Be Determined
Mission:

Second flight of the Dream Chaser Spaceplane. It may dock to the ISS depending on results from Flight 1.

Low Earth Orbit
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Falcon 9
Success
10 hours, 20 minutes ago
Starlink Group 6-101
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Electron
Success
16 hours, 20 minutes ago
Bridging The Swarm (NeonSat-1A)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A - Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

The NeonSat-1A, carrying a high-resolution optical camera, is designed to test the constellation capabilities of the South Korean government's Earth …


Falcon 9
Success
23 hours, 49 minutes ago
Starlink Group 17-19
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Falcon 9
Success
2 days, 12 hours ago
GPS III SV09
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Ninth of ten GPS III missions.


Falcon 9
Success
5 days ago
Starlink Group 17-20
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.