 ULA Website
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United Launch Alliance |
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ULA is the nation's most experienced space launch company with more than 120 consecutive launches and a 100% mission success rate. ULA brings the utmost precision, passion and purpose to one of the most technically complex, critical American needs: affordable, reliable access to space.
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United Launch Alliance IAM Employees Approve New Contract
Centennial, Colo., (May 19, 2018) Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) have accepted the company's new four-year contract offer and will return to work after being on strike since May 7.The new contract covers 600 bargaining unit employees from District Lodges #75 and #166, which includes Locals #44, #610 and #2786 performing work on the Atlas V, Delta II, Delta IV and Vulcan Centaur product lines at both East and West Coast ULA launch sites and Decatur, Alabama, manufacturing facility. The contract becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. on May 7. Negotiations on the new contract officially started April 16 and ended April 26. On May 6 the ratification vote was held in all geographical locations covered by this contract and the employees voted to go on strike. Following meetings on May 15 and 16, union negotiators recommended the new contract and today members voted to accept the new contract.
"We are pleased that the IAM represented employees have ratified this agreement that is so critical to continuing ULA's success," said Tory Bruno, ULA president and CEO. "The represented employees' contributions have propelled ULA forward in delivering critical capabilities for our nation and our customers. Our employees build the best, most reliable rockets flying today and the missions we launch save lives, explore the universe, connect the world and help humankind unlock its potential in space.
"We believe this contract will help secure our place as the go-to provider for launching people and one-of-a-kind payloads into space well into the future. We are excited and proud to work alongside an engaged team that is setting the standard for innovation and excellence in the space industry," Bruno added.
With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the nation's most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 125 satellites to orbit that provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, enable personal device-based GPS navigation and unlock the mysteries of our solar system.
For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com. Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch, and instagram.com/ulalaunch.
United Launch Alliance Selects Aerojet Rocketdyne's RL10 Engine for Next-generation Vulcan Centaur Upper Stage
Centennial, Colo., May 11, 2018 – United Launch Alliance (ULA) today announced Aerojet Rocketdyne as a strategic partner for the RL10 upper stage engine for ULA's next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket following a competitive procurement process."ULA and Aerojet Rocketdyne have a long and successful history together that began with the first flight of our Atlas and Delta rockets in the 1960s," said Tory Bruno, ULA president and CEO. "We could not be more pleased to have selected the proven and reliable RL10 to power our Vulcan Centaur upper stage."
This partnership is a long-term agreement for Aerojet Rocketdyne to provide upper stage propulsion for the next decade. As part of this partnership, Aerojet Rocketdyne will provide RL10s and develop the RL10C-X, the next generation of the RL10 family. The RL10C-X will increase the use of additive manufacturing and introduce other advanced technologies to improve the quality, reliability, affordability and performance.
"Key determining factors to our selection included price and delivery schedule," said Bruno. "We look forward to continuing our strong partnership to ensure a successful introduction of Vulcan Centaur."
Over the course of nearly 60 years, more than 450 RL10 engines have flown on various ULA heritage vehicles with an unmatched record of mission success.
ULA continues its competitive procurement process for the booster engine and plans to make a down select soon.
With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the nation's most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 125 satellites to orbit that provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, enable personal device-based GPS navigation and unlock the mysteries of our solar system.
For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch.
May 5, 2018United Launch Alliance Atlas V InSight Launch Highlights Video
Good evening -- Launch highlights of the ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the InSight mission for NASA can be viewed here: https://www.ulalaunch.com/explore/galleryFor additional photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulalaunch/sets/72157690619142190
May 5, 2018United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches West Coast's First Interplanetary Mission for NASA
Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., (May 5, 2018) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's InSight Mars lander lifted off from Space Launch Complex-3 on May 5 at 4:05 a.m. PDT. InSight is the first mission launched to another planet from the West Coast, which requires more energy than an East Coast launch that takes advantage of the Earth's rotation. The West Coast Mars launch was made possible by the performance of the Atlas V and an optimized trajectory design to achieve the very exact hyperbolic injection required to deliver the spacecraft to Mars.
ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the InSight mission for NASA. ULA and its heritage rockets have launched every U.S. spacecraft to the Red Planet since the 1960s, including Mars Science Lab, as well as the Spirit and Opportunity rovers. This was the 10th Mars launch on an Atlas rocket, and the fourth by the Atlas V following the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2005, the Curiosity rover in 2011 and the MAVEN orbiter in 2013.
In addition to InSight, the mission included two CubeSats which launched from dispensers mounted on the aft bulkhead carrier on the Atlas V Centaur second stage.
The Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, designed and built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, are the first to travel interplanetary.
"ULA is proud to have been a key part of this mission to explore our universe and unlock possibilities in space that will benefit all of humankind," said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. "I want to express my sincerest thanks to the entire ULA team, NASA and all our partners and suppliers for their exceptional teamwork and dedication to another successful mission."
This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V 401 configuration vehicle, which includes a 4-meter Payload Fairing (PLF). The Atlas booster for this mission was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine. Aerojet Rocketdyne provided the RL10C-1 engine for the Centaur upper stage.
This is the 78th launch of the Atlas V rocket, ULA's fifth launch in 2018 and the 128th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.
ULA's next launch is the Parker Solar Probe mission for NASA on a Delta IV Heavy rocket. The launch is scheduled for no earlier than July 31 at Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the Nation's most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 125 satellites to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field and enable personal device-based GPS navigation.
For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch.
May 4, 2018Update: ULA Atlas V InSight Launch Set for May 5
Good evening - Everything is progressing toward the ULA Atlas V InSight mission for NASA. The mission is set to lift off on an Atlas V rocket on Saturday, May 5 from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Today's L-1 forecast shows a 20 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The two-hour launch window begins at 4:05 a.m. PT.Launch Forecast Summary:
Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 80%
Primary concerns: Launch VisibilityOverall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay: 80%
Primary concern: Launch VisibilityLaunch Broadcast
Live launch coverage will begin at 3:30 a.m. PT on May 5.
Web cast available at: www.ulalaunch.com
May 4, 2018Update: ULA Atlas V InSight Launch Set for May 5
Good evening -- The ULA and NASA Launch Readiness Review was completed today and everything is progressing toward the ULA Atlas V InSight mission for NASA. The mission is set to lift off on an Atlas V rocket on Saturday, May 5 from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Today's L-2 forecast shows a 20 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The two-hour launch window begins at 4:05 a.m. PT.InSight infographics and launch artwork located here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulalaunch/albums/72157690619142190
Launch Forecast Summary:
Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 80%
Primary concerns: Launch VisibilityOverall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay: 80%
Primary concern: Launch VisibilityLaunch Broadcast
Live launch coverage will begin at 3:30 a.m. PT on May 5.
Web cast available at: www.ulalaunch.com
May 3, 2018ULA Atlas V InSight Launch Set for May 5
Good evening - everything is progressing toward the ULA Atlas V InSight mission for NASA. The mission is set to lift off on an Atlas V rocket on Saturday, May 5 from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Today's L-3 forecast shows a 20 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The two-hour launch window begins at 4:05 a.m. PT.Launch Forecast Summary:
Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 80%
Primary concerns: Launch VisibilityOverall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay: 80%
Primary concern: Launch VisibilityLaunch Broadcast
Live launch coverage will begin at 3:30 a.m. PT on May 5.
Web cast available at: www.ulalaunch.com
May 1, 2018ULA Atlas V InSight Launch Set for May 5
Everything is progressing toward the ULA Atlas V InSight mission for NASA. The mission is set to lift off on an Atlas V rocket on Saturday, May 5 from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The two-hour launch window begins at 4:05 a.m. PT.Please see the Atlas V InSight mission booklet here: https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/launch-booklets/mob_insightfinal.pdf
Launch Broadcast
Live launch coverage will begin at 3:30 a.m. PT on May 5. Web cast available at: www.ulalaunch.com
April 15, 2018Launch highlights of the ULA Atlas V rocket...
carrying the AFSPC-11 mission for the U.S. Air Force can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/N8rZSSZfcSM
For additional photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulalaunch/sets/72157693756935821
4/15/2018
Photo by United Launch Alliance
A ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the AFSPC-11 mission for the U.S. Air Force lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 at 7:13 p.m. ET on April 14.United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches AFSPC-11 Mission for the U.S. Air Force
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., (April 15, 2018) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)-11 mission lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 on April 14 at 7:13 p.m. EDT. AFSPC-11 is a multi-payload mission. The forward payload is referred to as CBAS (Continuous Broadcast Augmenting SATCOM) and the aft spacecraft is EAGLE (EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) Augmented Geosynchronous Experiment)."Today's launch is a testament to why the ULA team continually serves as our nation's most reliable and successful launch provider for our nation's most critical space assets," said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. "I want to thank the entire ULA team, and the phenomenal teamwork of our mission partners."
This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) 551 configuration vehicle, which includes a 5-meter large Payload Fairing (PLF). The Atlas booster for this mission was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine. Aerojet Rocketdyne provided the five AJ-60A solid rocket boosters (SRBs) and RL10C-1 engine for the Centaur upper stage.
This is the 77th launch of the Atlas V rocket, ULA's 4th launch in 2018 and the 127th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.
ULA's next launch is the InSight mission for NASA on an Atlas V rocket. The launch is scheduled for May 5 at Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the Nation's most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 125 satellites to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field and enable personal device-based GPS navigation.
For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch.
4/13/18
ULA Atlas V AFSPC-11 Mission Set to Launch April 14
Good afternoon — Everything is progressing toward the ULA Atlas V launch carrying the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)-11 mission. The mission is set to lift off on Saturday, April 14 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Today's L-1 forecast shows an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The launch time is 7:13 p.m. ET.
-11-mission-12.jpg "Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)-11 mission")
Launch Forecast Summary:
Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 20%
Primary concerns: Cumulus CloudsOverall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay: 80%
Primary concern: Lightning, Cumulus Clouds, Ground WindsLAUNCH
SATURDAY, APRIL 14
BARS + TONE – 6:22 P.M.
PROGRAM START – 6:53 P.M.
Launch Broadcast Satellite Coordinates + Webcast
ALL TIMES EASTERNWebcast available at www.ulalaunch.com and
www.youtube.com/unitedlaunchalliance(Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., April 13, 2018) A ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)-11 mission is rolled from the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex-41.
Photo courtesy of ULA.
4/13/2018 ATLAS V TO LAUNCH AFSPC-11
Launch Location: Space Launch Complex-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
- Rocket: Atlas V 551
- Mission: AFSPC-11
- Launch Date: Saturday, April 14, 2018
- Launch Time: 7:13 p.m. EDT
- Launch Broadcast: Live launch coverage will begin at 6:53 p.m. EDT
Mission Description: Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)-11 is a multi-manifested mission. The forward spacecraft is referred to as CBAS (Continuous Broadcast Augmenting SATCOM) and the aft spacecraft is EAGLE (ESPA Augmented GEO Laboratory Experiment).
Launch Notes: AFSPC-11 will mark the 77th launch of the Atlas V rocket since its inaugural launch in 2002 and the eighth in the 551 configuration, which produces more than 2.5 million pounds of thrust off the launch pad. This mission will be ULA's 127th since the company was founded in December 2006.
Launch Updates: To keep up to speed with updates to the launch countdown, dial the ULA launch hotline at 1-877-852-4321 or join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch; hashtag #AtlasV.
Go Atlas! Go Centaur! Go AFSPC-11!
