Hi everybody and welcome back to the Elon Musk podcast as always,
I'm your host will Walden today. We've got an electrifying
episode that will take you straight to the cosmos.
We're taking a deep dive into one of the latest triumphs in
space Tech, the successful hot-fire test of the Vulcan
Centaur. The Next Generation rocket by
United launch Alliance in this journey, will explore the Myriad
of challenges, triumphs and the unwavering Dedication that is
Repelled, the Vulcan Center project forward will delve into
the details of the recent hot fire test, a crucial Milestone,
that has set the stage for this Stellar Vehicles First Flight
potentially, slated for July of this year.
We'll also talk about the impressive partnership between
Ula and blue origin. The role they're set to play in
Amazon's ambitious project Kuiper and the key industry
players involved and in true Star, Trek Session will also
talk about how the Vulcan centaurs maiden voyage will
transport Ashes of the iconic series Creator Gene Roddenberry
and actor. James Doohan better known as
Scotty from Star Trek now from engine production challenges to
the burgeoning prospects of space cargo delivery for our
discussion today will capture the spirit of human
determination and the Relentless pursuit of exploration and
advancement. The groundbreaking Vulcan
Centaur, the latest addition to the United launch Alliance
family of rockets is on the brink of its maiden voyage.
The culmination of years of design manufacturing and
rigorous testing this magnificent, craft stands about
202 feet tall and it's going to define the future of space
exploration for the Ula. I was the sunset over the Cape
Canaveral space force station in Florida on June 7th, the Vulcan
Centaur achieved, a pivotal Milestone successfully executing
a critical engine test. The first of its kind for this
pioneering machine in the world of rocketry.
Countdowns are It's filled with anticipation and nail-biting
suspense. The magic started at T-minus
four point eight, eight seconds. The engines start sequence
initiated as Vulcan centaurs to main stage engines, roared the
life on the launch pad, What followed was a burst of power
lasting two seconds where the engines reach their intended,
thrust level and then gradually wound down this.
Crucial flight Readiness, fire test as brief as it was
significant encompassed. A span of just six seconds
powered by Vulcan centaurs. Inaugural stage are to be e 4
engines, the brainchild of blue origin while a centaur 5 upper
stage is propelled by a pair of rl10 engines.
The versatility of the spacecraft is great.
The design also allows for the addition of up to six strap-on,
solid rocket boosters augmenting, its launch
capabilities. Even further when fully
operational the Vulcan sent our promises to deliver a payload,
Of up to seven metric tons to a geostationary orbit far above
the Earth. Although its maiden voyage has
yet to occur, you LA's efforts are inching closer to changing
that as evidenced by the recent successful.
F RF, test an official announcement.
Following the test, you will a Express it there.
Vulcan qualification program is on the cusp of completion
standing at a staggering 98 percent complete they noted that
the remaining aspects under review are linked to the final
testing of The Centaur five. However, as with any Venture,
the journey has not been devoid of setbacks the update mention a
setback to happen on March 29th, when an unfortunate hydrogen
leak to assent are exploding on the test stand at NASA's
Marshall, space flight center in Alabama.
And prior to this incident, as early May schedule, have been
planned for the debut Lodge of the, Vulcan Centaur, Ula
engineers and technicians of Thoroughly reviewing the data
from the F RF test systems working in Now conducting an
in-depth investigation at the center, five tests and anomaly.
They are optimistic that the results will pave the way for
robust, launch plan and Shirin Vulcan Centaur, safe and
successful launch. The inaugural mission of the
Vulcan Center is said to carry the Peregrine lunar lander
developed by the Pittsburgh based company astrobotic.
If everything goes right, Ula officials suggest that the
launch could take place as early as the summer.
Although no specific timeline has been announced yet the
Vulcan centaur Journey towards its Maiden launch has been
marked with instances of postponed tests.
The frf initially scheduled for May 25th was delayed due to a
technical issue with the booster discovered during the countdown
following. This, the Vulcan Centaur has
relocated to its vertical integrated launch facility
hanger for detailed inspection and Analysis.
The rectification seem to have paid off considering the
successful outcome of the reschedule test and designed as
the successor to Ula is celebrated Atlas 5 + For launch
Vehicles, the Vulcan Centaur carries the weight of high
expectations despite hurdles such as engine delivery, delays
from Blue origin slowdowns do a covid-19 and internal
manufacturing hurdles at Ula. The Centaur project has pressed
forward, it is determined to make it to space.
A significant step in the development of Vulcan Center was
the successful hat. Fire test and June 7th 2023.
A procedure. Often filled with tension, the
hot-fire test involved. Lighting up the be4 engines at
the Rockets base. This occasion was met with
gratification from the Ula team, marking a rewarding culmination
of years of dedication and hard work.
Mark Peller Ula as vice president of Vulcan development.
Expressed thrill following the successful test, they said
seeing the hardware function, the engines firing and all the
systems working together was terribly exciting.
Their hard work. Did not One noticed Jeff Bezos.
CEO of blue origin congratulated the Ula team on their
successful. How fire test highlighting the
strong ties with in the space Community, despite its success.
The F RF test wasn't without its share of challenges two weeks.
Prior, it was postponed when the team noticed a delayed response
from the booster engine ignition system, used to power up the
engines in unfazed by the setback.
Ula move the rocket back to its vertical integration facility at
Cape Canaveral to understand and Fix the issue.
The Vulcans sent are currently awaiting launch.
At space launch complex 41 is set to take Center Stage for the
certification One mission, its first-ever flight, Ula CEO.
Tory Bruno is hinted that the launch won't occur until at
least July the launch hinges on, not just the success of the F RF
test. But also, the conclusion of an
ongoing investigation relating to the destructive incident
March, which saw a fireball cause damage to a test article.
The center stage in you always test and at NASA's Marshall
space flight center in Alabama. Now the Vulcan Center's first
payload will be the astrobotic Paragon.
Lunar lander marking the commencement of NASA's
commercial lunar. Payload Services missions to the
Moon. Additionally the maiden flight
will carry the first two of Amazon's planned project.
Kuiper satellites along with these, the Vulcan sent are.
What carry the ashes of over. 150 people including Star Trek
Creator. Gene Roddenberry.
And actor, James Doohan known for his portrayal of Scotty on
the iconic series, although Ula hasn't executed any rocket
launches in 2023 yet. It's anticipated to play a
pivotal role in the coming years.
Ula blue origin in area. Space have been contracted by
Amazon to launch up to 83 missions as part of its project
called hyper, consolation, by 2028 Ula will be responsible for
launching more than half of the plant. 36 internet Satellites
with Vulcan said to have 38 of those in addition to 9 Atlas 5
launches. However, for the Vulcan Centaur
to take its rightful place amongst the Stars a few final
obstacles. Must be overcome blue origin.
Must ramp up the production of the be4 engines.
For the one-time use Rockets which are also required for its
new, Glenn rockets, and each Vulcan will utilize to be four
engines while the upper stage will employ two arrows.
Jet Rocketdyne, rl10 see engines similar to the ones used on an
atlas 5. Did you know, we have a YouTube
channel called space news, pod where we cover SpaceX, NASA and
space flight. If you're interested in any of
those topics please take a second and go to youtube.com
slash Aunt. Space news pod to check us out
because we update almost every single day and you can join us
for a cool live streams where we cover space flight.
And also the latest topics from A sex.
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