Vulcan VC6L

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
877.0 T
Thrust
18110.0 kN

Family

Name
Vulcan VC6L
Family
―
Variant
VC6L
Alias
―
Full Name
Vulcan VC6L

Payload Capacity

Launch Cost
―
Low Earth Orbit
27200.0 kg
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
15300.0 kg
Direct Geostationary
7000.0 kg
Sun-Synchronous Capacity
23900.0 kg

United Launch Alliance

Commercial

CEO: Tory Bruno

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 VC6L | Project Kuiper (Vulcan #1)

United Launch Alliance | United States of America
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
TBD September, 2025

Status: To Be Determined

Mission:

Project Kuiper is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access, this constellation will be managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon. This constellation is planned to be composed of 3,276 satellites. The satellites are projected to be placed in 98 orbital planes in three orbital layers, one at 590 km, 610 km and 630 km altitude. 45 satellites will be carried on each Vulcan launch.

Low Earth Orbit

Explore Share