BE-4

During a test firing in late June, a Blue Origin rocket engine exploded at the company’s West Texas facility in what could be another major setback for the launch of the Vulcan Centaur rocket.William Shatner on Jeff BezosBlue Origin’s BE-4 engine exploded about 10 seconds into the test on June 30, destroying the engine and heavily damaging the test stand infrastructure, CNBC reported based on anonymous sources familiar with the matter. “No personnel were injured and we are currently assessing root cause,” a Blue Origin…

The anticipated first launch of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur may have to wait a little bit longer as the company tries to address an anomaly in the rocket’s upper stage.Taking out the Trash (in Space)The heavy-lift rocket completed a flight readiness review test on June 7, bringing it one step closer to its inaugural flight. There is still one unresolved issue with the rocket, however, that could delay its debut liftoff until late 2023, anonymous sources told Ars Technica. It’s been a bumpy ride for ULA in…

After weeks of anticipation, United Launch Alliance (ULA) fired up the two engines of its Vulcan Centaur rocket to prepare for its inaugural flight.Astronomers Could Soon Get Warnings When SpaceX Satellites Threaten Their ViewThe Colorado-based company completed the final flight readiness test of its heavy-lift rocket on Wednesday at 9:05 p.m. ET at Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 41. The entire test lasted for about six seconds, with the rocket’s two BE-4 engines, which run on a mixture of liquid methane and liquid…

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is ready for another attempt at firing up the engines of its heavy-lift Vulcan Centaur rocket for a flight readiness test before it launches for the first time. Taking out the Trash (in Space)Vulcan Centaur’s Flight Readiness Firing is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. ET at the Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The test is designed to give the rocket the final go-ahead for launch on its first mission, which was delayed after a fireball erupted at its…

After recovering from an explosion at the launch facility last month, United Launch Alliance (ULA) is getting ready to fire up its heavy-lift rocket for a flight readiness test before it can fly for the first time.Taking out the Trash (in Space)ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket is scheduled for its static fire test on Thursday, May 25 at 6:00 p.m. ET to make sure all systems are go for launch. The test firing will take place at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, and will be broadcast live…

Following a disturbing explosion that swept over NASA’s testfacility in Alabama, United Launch Alliance (ULA) doesn’t expect its Vulcan rocket to fly until the summer. Astronomers Could Soon Get Warnings When SpaceX Satellites Threaten Their ViewThe heavy-lift rocket was being prepped for its highly-anticipated inaugural flight, which was scheduled for May 4. On March 29, ULA was pressurizing the upper stage of the Vulcan rocket when a spark triggered a fireball at the test stand at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in…

A highly-anticipated heavy-lift rocket was getting prepped for its inaugural flight when a spark triggered a fiery explosion at NASA’s Alabama launch facility, potentially threatening next month’s rocket debut. Astronomers Could Soon Get Warnings When SpaceX Satellites Threaten Their ViewOn Thursday, United Launch Alliance chief executive Tory Bruno shared a closer look at the explosion that took place on March 29 at the test stand at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. “ accumulated inside the stand. Found an…

An artist’s rendering of Vulcan’s liftoff. Illustration: ULAUnited Launch Alliance is hoping that the Force will be with them on May 4, a date the company is hoping to launch its Vulcan heavy-lift rocket for the very first time. ULA chief executive Tory Bruno announced the tentative launch date for the Vulcan Centaur rocket during a call with reporters on Thursday, adding that the timing of the rocket’s first flight still depends on a few remaining tests of the rocket and its engines, and the delivery of its payloads,…