The CERT-2 mission for United Launch Alliance (ULA)’s Vulcan Centaur rocket is scheduled for no earlier than October 4, 2024, with a launch window between 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. EDT. This mission represents the second of two certification flights required by the U.S. Space Force to authorize the Vulcan Centaur for national security payloads. It is a key step for ULA as it transitions away from its Atlas V rocket and positions Vulcan Centaur as a versatile platform for both governmental and commercial missions.
Purpose and Mission Profile
The CERT-2 mission aims to demonstrate Vulcan’s high-energy rocket architecture. The rocket will deliver an inert payload to deep space, placing it into an orbit around the Sun. This mission will provide essential data on Vulcan’s capabilities, especially the endurance and performance of its Centaur V upper stage, which plays a critical role in long-duration missions. ULA plans to conduct a series of experiments during the flight to evaluate how the upper stage handles cryogenic propellants over extended periods, which is crucial for future high-energy missions such as direct-injection orbits.
Originally, the CERT-2 mission was expected to carry the Dream Chaser spaceplane, but delays in the readiness of Dream Chaser led ULA to replace it with an inert payload. This decision allows ULA to move forward with the certification process and meet the requirements for launching national security payloads later in 2024.
Preparations and Technology Demonstrations
In preparation for the launch, ULA has fully stacked the Vulcan Centaur at Space Launch Complex-41 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket’s BE-4 engines, developed by Blue Origin, will provide the primary thrust during liftoff, supported by two Graphite Epoxy Motor (GEM) 63XL solid rocket boosters. The Centaur V upper stage will perform multiple maneuvers in space to test its longevity and operational limits, particularly its cryogenic propellant behavior.
This flight is not just about reaching orbit; it also involves critical technology demonstrations that will inform the future design and operation of Vulcan Centaur. Engineers will focus on extending the endurance of the Centaur upper stage for future missions, potentially incorporating these findings into future space exploration and national security efforts.
Importance for ULA and National Security
The successful completion of the CERT-2 mission will bring ULA one step closer to achieving full certification from the U.S. Space Force. While a clean flight will not guarantee immediate certification, it will provide critical data needed to certify Vulcan Centaur for national security space launches. The U.S. Space Force is keen to see Vulcan certified as soon as possible, given that ULA has several important national security missions lined up, including USSF-106 and USSF-87, scheduled for later in 2024.
Once certified, Vulcan Centaur will join SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy as one of the primary launch vehicles under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 program, replacing the Atlas V and helping reduce the U.S.’s reliance on Russian-built RD-180 engines.
Summary
The CERT-2 mission represents a crucial milestone for ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket, not only in its certification process with the U.S. Space Force but also in demonstrating new capabilities for future deep space and high-energy missions. With its launch scheduled for early October 2024, ULA hopes to pave the way for national security missions and further solidify Vulcan Centaur’s role in the evolving space economy.
