New Mars Forums

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

While the military seems to have pulled the plug on the Russian engines with Nasa doing the oposite. NASA certifies Russia's RD-180 rocket engines for manned flights Now this could be because the Atlas V is to be used for the Dreamchaser and for maybe the x37 space plane also.

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

There are others that send up rockets still like clock work... Delta 4-Heavy launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base

looks like a Falcon 9 but its not recoverable...

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

Counting down our dependance on Three additional Russian RD-180 rocket engines being prepared for shipment to US

US lawmakers have recently sought to curb the purchase of RD-180 engines as part of Washington's package of economic sanctions against Moscow, passing a law obliging Washington to develop its own next-generation rocket propulsion system.

RD-180 engines for use with Atlas-5 launch vehicles has been a very dependable engine

Since 1999, Lockheed Martin Atlas III and Atlas V launch vehicles have made at least 86 flights using the RD-180. According to Energomash figures, the US has now received 116 such engines.

In addition to the RD-180, the Russian rocket engine maker also produces the RD-181 for the Antares, an expendable launch system developed by Northrop Grumman subsidiary Orbital Sciences Corporation. The RD-181 is a modified version of the RD-191, derived from the RD-180.

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

There has been very little in the news for Vulcan status, readiness for certification missions

Atlas V, Delta IV, and Vulcan, 85% of the avionics suite is identical between the vehicles

Northrop Grumman successfully test-fired a GEM-63XL solid rocket motor for Vulcan at their Promontory, Utah, test facility.  formally ATK

It can also still hold the dream chaser

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

Powerful Delta IV Heavy rocket launches secret US spy satellite to orbit  hoisting the classified NROL-44 spacecraft

ULA is currently developing its next-generation launcher, the Vulcan Centaur, and as such is in the process of phasing out its Atlas and Delta rocket families.

Only four Delta IV Heavy launches remain, with two scheduled to fly from California and two additional missions blasting off from the Cape sometime before the end of 2023.

Phasing out the Russian engine use has been a bit harmful to both Boeing andLockheed but on the same side they have rockets that are costing to much even if they are a bit more dependable....

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

United Launch Alliance: Combining the forces of two aerospace giants

A rocket that is being phased out in the Delta IV Heavy rocket

ULA's line of rockets include the expendable Atlas V, Delta IV Heavy and the Vulcan Centaur, which is still under development.

The latest version, the Atlas V is often used to launch interplanetary missions and bring cargo to the International Space Station. It can carry up to 45,240 lbs. (20,520 kilograms) to low Earth orbit and 19,620 lbs. (8,900 kg) to higher orbits.

The Delta IV Heavy can take 62,540 lbs. (28,370 kg) to low Earth orbit and 30,440 lbs. (13,810 kg) beyond.

When it becomes operational, Centaur will be able to launch 60,000 lbs. (27,200 kg) to low Earth orbit and 31,700 lbs. (14,400 kg) beyond, according to ULA.

The Vulcan Centaur's maiden launch is expected in 2021, when it intends to send private space company Astrobotic's lunar lander to the moon.

But they are more costly when compared to the Falcon 9 and Falcon 9 heavy..not they are not reuseable….which would lower costs.

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

ULA aims for launch of new Vulcan rocket at end of 2021

The Peregrine mission is to help prepare for a 2024 crewed landing in NASA's Artemis program. Astrobotic has a fixed-price contract with NASA for $79.5 million for the first Peregrine mission, which will have 11 experiments or payloads for the space agency.

Vulcan is intended to provide a more efficient, more powerful launch vehicle than ULA's workhorse rockets, Atlas and Delta, and have engines produced in the United States. The company previously bought Russian rocket engines, which Congress outlawed in 2014. ULA has lined up plenty of work for Vulcan. The U.S. government awarded the company more than $500 million in launch contracts in August for national security missions from 2022 to 2026. The government has committed $967 million to ULA through 2024 for the development of the rocket. ULA is funding three-quarters of the rocket development budget, Bruno said.

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

The larger as Lockheed Martin buys Aerojet Rocketdyne to better compete with Musk's SpaceX, Bezos' Blue Origin

Lockheed Martin is Aerojet's largest customer, making up about 33% of its sales. United Launch Alliance, or ULA, makes up another 10% of Aerojet's sales – a further complement to Lockheed Martin, which owns a 50% stake in ULA as a joint venture with Boeing.

With the starship launch, flop to belly and attempted landing the fear has stuck

"We have seen SpaceX as an emerging threat [and] they are more than an emerging threat right now,"

Seems the business side of things should pick up at a lower cost one would hope as

Aerojet Rocketdyne's business is split between defense and space, with about 60% of its sales to the former and 40% to the latter.

Why would Lockheed make this move

Jefferies analyst Greg Konrad noted the similarity of Lockheed Martin buying Aerojet Rocketdyne to Northrop Grumman's $7.8 billion acquisition of rocket maker Orbital ATK in 2018. Both deals represent a top defense contractor widening its reach by acquiring a company that specializes in rocket propulsion and space.

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

A much needed element for the new rocket... full-thrust firing of Blue Origin’s BE-4 rocket engine in Texas

Blue Origin is testing the engine in preparation for its use in the company’s New Glenn rocket as well as United Launch Alliance’s semi-reusable Vulcan rocket. Both launch vehicles are currently due to make their debut late this year.

The BE-4, which uses liquefied natural gas for fuel, was developed at Blue Origin’s headquarters in Kent, Wash., with tests conducted at Bezos’ West Texas ranch (which is one of his pandemic hangouts).

Last year, Blue Origin opened up a factory in Alabama to turn out rocket engines on a production basis. Each BE-4 is designed to blast out up to 550,000 pounds of thrust — or about 10% more thrust than SpaceX’s methane-fueled Raptor engine.

Last month, Blue Origin provided two engines to United Launch Alliance for pathfinder ground testing, and flight-ready versions are due to be delivered in time for the launch of Astrobotic’s first lunar lander on a Vulcan rocket.

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

small to medium rocket players are few but it seems that the big guy's like them in that Lockheed Martin buys up to 58 launches over the next decade from rocket builder ABL Space

Lockheed Martin will buy up to 26 of ABL Space's RS1 rockets through 2025, with an option for up to 32 additional launches through 2029.
ABL declined to comment on the financial terms of the contract.
Based on ABL's $12 million price tag for an RS1 rocket, the deal with Lockheed Martin is estimated to be worth nearly $700 million over eight years, assuming the maximum number of launches.
The large contract represents a coup for ABL in the medium-lift segment of the launch market, where it is competing with companies including Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit, Relativity Space, Firefly Aerospace, and Rocket Lab.
Lockheed Martin will buy up to 26 of ABL's RS1 rockets through 2025, with an option for up to 32 additional launches through 2029, ABL announced on Monday.

ABL's RS1 rocket fits in the middle of the launch marketplace, between Rocket Lab's small Electron and SpaceX's large Falcon 9 vehicle. RS1 is nearly 90 feet tall and is designed to launch as much as 1,350 kg (nearly 1½ tons) of payload to low Earth orbit.

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

A new U.S. spy satellite launched into space Monday afternoon (April 26) on the mightiest rocket built by the United Launch Alliance (ULA): the massive Delta IV Heavy.

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

coming soon without a russian engine United Launch Alliance rolls out Vulcan pathfinder for fueling tests

using the newly developed BE-4 engines

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

"COLORADO SPRINGS — The head of the U.S. Space Force launch enterprise said it is “unfortunate” that Blue Origin is taking far longer than expected to complete the testing and production of BE-4 rocket engines for United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle."

The Space Force isn't happy about Blue Origin's delays in delivery of the BE-4 engines.

Here's the link to the Space New article:  https://spacenews.com/space-force-launc … re-on-out/

Mars_B4_Moon

Member

Registered: 2006-03-23

Posts: 9,175

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

Blue Origin, Boeing Are Teaming Up to Build a Space Station—But Space Fans Have Doubts

https://observer.com/2021/10/blue-origi … aws-doubt/

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

Looking forward to its next vehicle Vulcan continues path to its maiden launch as ULA turns 15

Since 2020, many Atlas Vs have tested components that will be used on Vulcan.

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

Lockheed Martin terminates $4.4 billion deal to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne

The move comes after the U.S. Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously last month to sue to block the deal over antitrust concerns.
The merger, which was announced in late 2020, drew criticism as it would give Lockheed a dominant position over solid fuel rocket motors -- a vital piece of the U.S. missile industry.

"Our planned acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne would have benefitted the entire industry through greater efficiency, speed, and significant cost reductions for the U.S. government," said Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet in a news release. "However, we determined that in light of the FTC's actions, terminating the transaction is in the best interest of our stakeholders."

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

New Vulcan Centaur rocket may test-fire its engines on the launch pad for 1st time on May 25

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

See ULA assemble new Vulcan Centaur rocket for its 1st launch on Dec. 24 (photos)

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

I found a small news item on the NBC News site that says the X-37B is going to be launched with a Falcon-Heavy rocket.  That launch has been delayed until tomorrow (Monday).  It's always been an Atlas-5 before.

BTW,  the heat shield on X-37B is about the same as that on the space shuttle,  except:  they are using a two-piece ceramic refractory tile denoted "Tufroc" at the stagnation zones,  instead of carbon-carbon ablative.

GW

It was also part of the combined effort to reduce launch costs as well.

GW Johnson

Member

From: McGregor, Texas USA

Registered: 2011-12-04

Posts: 5,455

Website

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

Unlike shuttle,  X-37B is a small rocket plane launched by a big rocket booster.  The small rocket plane is demonstrably reusable.  Make the booster reusable to lower costs further.  Falcon-Heavy is partly reusable.

However,  this is USAF.  I doubt lower costs with a partly-reusable booster was the issue.  I think rapidly-failing availability of Atlas-5 boosters was. 

Especially since I haven't heard a peep recently about any real progress toward Vulcan,  ULA's replacement for Atlas-5.  I saw the photo of it being stacked.  I have seen absolutely NOTHING about any engine tests,  fueling tests,  or anything else of that sort.

Until the real ground testing actually gets done,  Vulcan is not going to fly anytime soon.  Of course,  with "old space's" addiction to corporate welfare,  they have evidently forgotten how to actually deliver for the money received.

GW

---

GW Johnson
McGregor,  Texas

"There is nothing as expensive as a dead crew,  especially one dead from a bad management decision"

Oldfart1939

Member

Registered: 2016-11-26

Posts: 2,379

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

Tory Bruno of ULA has repeatedly claimed the date for Vulcan launch is 24 December. This year.

Oldfart1939

Member

Registered: 2016-11-26

Posts: 2,379

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

Here's an update on the Vulcan-Centaur mission from Space News:

https://spacenews.com/first-vulcan-laun … o-january/

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,832

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

Just tried to post content and got the Apache error.

no link so will copy content.

January 8 2024 ULA Vulcan Centaur inaugural flight

United Launch Alliance’s first Vulcan rocket is unloaded from ULA Rocketship at Port Canaveral, FL Sunday, January 22, 2023.

The Vulcan, United Launch Alliance’s newest launch vehicle, arrived at Port Canaveral by ship last night.

Mission:

United Launch Alliance's new Vulcan Centaur rocket, which will replace Atlas V to become the only vehicle in its fleet, will fly its inaugural mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station carrying Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander. The lander, selected by NASA to help advance research ahead of putting two astronauts on the surface by 2030, is expected to touch down on the northern part of the moon.

Launch time : 2:18 a.m.
Location : Launch Complex 41.
Trajectory: Northeast.
Booster landing: None; Vulcan is expendable.
Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at https://floridatoday.com/space.

No way to know what is doing this.

GW Johnson

Member

From: McGregor, Texas USA

Registered: 2011-12-04

Posts: 5,455

Website

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

I hope it succeeds. 

But be aware the odds for a near-perfect flight on the first flight are not good.  And to send something to the moon,  it has to be a near-perfect flight.

Question:  was not the Vulcan supposed to have recoverable engines? 

GW

---

GW Johnson
McGregor,  Texas

"There is nothing as expensive as a dead crew,  especially one dead from a bad management decision"

tahanson43206

Moderator

Registered: 2018-04-27

Posts: 17,057

Re: Rocket Monopoly - United Launch Alliance

Just to clarify...

January 8 2024 ULA Vulcan Centaur inaugural flight

The picture shows the stage arriving at the Cape in January of 2023.  I assume the year since has been spent integrating the systems for the 2024 launch.

(th)