The first Vulcan rocket sanctioned by the U.S. Space Force launched on Tuesday night. The 200-foot spacecraft from United Launch Alliance (ULA), equipped with four rocket boosters, took off from Florida just before 9:00 p.m. EDT and has been described as the “first National Security Space Launch aboard the next-generation Vulcan rocket,” according to ULA.
“It’s an exciting day for us as we launched the first NSSL flight of Vulcan, an outstanding achievement for United Launch Alliance and the nation’s strategic space lift capability. This is an important milestone for the Space Force and all involved,” Col. Jim Horne, USSF-106 mission director, said in a statement, as reported by The Hill.
Horne added, “After years of development, technical collaboration and dedication by all involved, including our government mission partners and the entire ULA team, I’m proud to say the first Vulcan NSSL mission delivered its payloads safely into space.”
“National security begins at liftoff,” said ULA Vice President of Government and Commercial Programs Gary Wentz. “Vulcan did exactly what it was built to do: deliver a critical mission with power, precision and confidence. We are proud to play a role in strengthening the nation’s space capabilities.”
ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno described the Vulcan as the world’s “most capable, high-energy orbit rocket meeting the demand for expanding space competencies.”
“Vulcan provides flexibility to our nation’s decision makers as we combat our adversaries attempts to disrupt the U.S. in space operations,” Bruno added. “This launch begins a new era in national space security.”
