Rocket DB

Vulcan family

Vulcan VC4L

ActiveUnited StatesUnited Launch AllianceSpec: VC4L

Vulcan Centaur is a two-stage-to-orbit, heavy-lift launch vehicle under development by United Launch Alliance (ULA) since 2014. It is principally designed to meet launch demands for the U.S. government's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program for use by the United States Space Force and U.S. intelligence agencies for national security satellite launches. It will replace both of ULA's existing launchers (Atlas V and Delta IV Heavy) in this role, as these launchers are retiring.

Flights flown02 scheduled
Payload to LEO24,600kg
Peak year20261 flight

Vulcan VC4L is built by United Launch Alliance of the United States. Company background, funding, contracts and news for this operator are tracked on Space Index.

Payload

Per mission profile
Low Earth orbit24,600kg
Sun-synchronous orbit20,000kg
Geostationary transfer orbit11,700kg
Geostationary orbit4,900kg

Vehicle

VC4L spec
Stages2
Length67.4m
Diameter5.4m
Launch mass770t
Liftoff thrust13,706kN
ReusableNo

Pads used

1 pad
Space Launch Complex 412

Orbits delivered

1 orbit
Low Earth Orbit2

Launch history

2 launches
DateMissionPadOrbitOutcome
TBDVulcan VC4L | Dream Chaser CRS 2 Flight 1Space Launch Complex 41Low Earth OrbitScheduled
TBDVulcan VC4L | Dream Chaser CRS 2 Flight 2Space Launch Complex 41Low Earth OrbitScheduled

Specifications from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs, launch records from Space Index. Derived figures are computed here; see sources and method.

Further reading: Wikipedia · Operator page

Fewer than three recorded flights, so this page is marked noindex. It is here for completeness, not for search.