ULA and NASA test inflatable heat shield on Atlas launch from California

Derek Wise -
SpaceflightULAAtlas VVulcan
JPSS-2 Atlas Deployment of LOFTID inflatable heat shield test

Early November 10, ULA launched an Atlas V from Space Launch Complex 3 at Vandenberg Space Force Station. The mission carried JPSS-2 and an inflatable decelerator to prove the systems to and gather data on this unique type of heat shield.

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Vulcan inflatable heat shield test launching on Atlas V in early November

Derek Wise -
SpaceflightULAVulcanReusability

When spacecraft reenter, they need a heat shield to protect them from the immense friction and heat of speeding through the atmosphere. Usually, these are rigid structures, but ULA plans to use an inflatable heat shield to protect the engines of their Vulcan rocket and recover them for reuse. They’ll be testing out that type of heat shield next month.

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Vulcan: When will ULA launch its next generation rocket?

Zac Hall -
SpaceflightBlue OriginULAVulcanAstrobotic

United Launch Alliance is preparing for the debut flight of its next generation rocket called Vulcan. There are certain developments to follow, however, while the first mission date awaits hardware readiness.

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Blue Origin shows off BE-4 engine progress from NASA’s historic MSFC Test Stand 4670 in Huntsville

Zac Hall -
Blue OriginULAVulcanNew GlennBE-4

Everyone loves a good engine shot, and Bezos and Bruno are probably especially enjoying this one. Blue Origin shared shots of its BE-4 rocket engine in an important test phase today. Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos is awaiting engine readiness before his company’s New Glenn rocket can take flight, and United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno needs BE-4 engines for its Vulcan Centaur system.

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‘Where are my engines, Jeff?’ Ars investigates Blue Origin BE-4 engine delay for ULA Vulcan rocket

Zac Hall -

You don’t have to spend much time on Space Twitter or Reddit to stumble upon a few dozen “Where are my engines, Jeff?” memes. Ars Technica recently took a shot at finding the answer to why Blue Origin’s BE-4 engines are delayed.

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Tory Bruno shares video of ULA’s Vulcan rocket thrust structure before testing

Seth Kurkowski -

CEO of United Launch Alliance Tory Bruno has shared a timelapse of a key piece of ULA’s Vulcan rocket as it gets ready to start testing.

ULA’s maiden Vulcan flight delayed to 2022 due to payload readiness

Jared Locke -
Blue OriginULAVulcanBE-4Astrobotic

We’ve all been waiting on the debut of United Launch Alliance’s brand new Vulcan rocket, the rightful successor to the Atlas V and Delta IV. But we might have to wait a little long for a payload to be ready to fly on the first mission.

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United Launch Alliance releases 7-part podcast on their new Vulcan rocket

Seth Kurkowski -

United Launch Alliance (ULA), the defense contractor that has provided the rockets for some of the most important scientific and strategic missions for the US Government released a 7-part podcast for their new rocket.

First fairings for ULA’s new Vulcan rocket begin testing at Boeing

Seth Kurkowski -

The new rocket built to be able to compete with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and give ULA an increase in launch capability is getting very close to its first launch. The new fairings are the latest in parts beginning final testing.

Blue Origin New Glenn pathfinder rocket shows itself as ULA’s Vulcan pathfinder head to pad

Seth Kurkowski -
Blue OriginULAVulcanNew Glenn

The secretive rocket company created by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has been developing rockets to compete in both the space tourism and commercial launch markets named New Glenn after the first American to reach orbit, John Glenn.

The rocket has been in development for almost 9 years and since then we’ve only seen rare glimpses of the current stages of development. They plan to make their debut launch of the rocket later this year and we’ve luckily got a glimpse of what will be used to test their new launchpad for this coming flight.

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ULA rolls out new launch mount for Vulcan rocket

Seth Kurkowski -
ULAVulcan

ULA plans to unveil its newest launcher later this year from the same launchpad that it launches its Atlas V rocket from. Building on top of their already successful line of launchers and using Blue Origin’s methane-powered BE-4 engines, ULA conducted a crucial test and rolled out the brand new launch mount it will be attached to for the first time.

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After delays, first flight ready Blue Origin engines shipping to ULA next summer

Seth Kurkowski -
Blue OriginULAVulcan

While delivery of new methane powered engines for United Launch Alliance was expected to occur this year, Blue Origin pushed back the delivery date to next year due to more time needed to solve issues with the engine’s turbo pump.

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Video: Watch ULA join oxygen and fuel tanks for Vulcan rocket booster

Seth Kurkowski -

United Launch Alliance has published a video of the fuel and oxygen tanks joining together for their next generation rocket called Vulcan.

Vulcan rocket pushes forward as Blue Origin’s BE4 ‘Path Finder’ engines reach Decatur

Seth Kurkowski -

While Blue Origin and ULA are competitors who will be launching payloads into space, they have been partners in the development of a new engine used to power both of their newest rockets.