# ULA’s Vulcan Rocket: A New Chapter in Space Launch Rivalry
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) is set to reestablish its presence in the competitive space launch arena with the introduction of its new **Vulcan rocket**, following a successful test flight earlier this year. This development concludes a phase where **SpaceX** was the only player vying for NASA contracts to launch substantial science missions. ULA’s Vulcan rocket, designed to succeed the aging **Atlas V**, signifies a key advancement for the firm and the larger space sector.
## A New Contender for NASA Contracts
For several years, ULA was barred from bidding on NASA launch contracts after selling its last Atlas V rockets to various clients, chiefly for **Amazon’s Project Kuiper** Internet satellite project. The company wasn’t eligible to propose its new Vulcan rocket for NASA’s upcoming missions until it achieved at least one successful flight, in accordance with NASA’s certification stipulations.
This milestone was reached on **January 8, 2024**, when the Vulcan rocket completed its **first certification flight**, dubbed **Cert-1**. The mission was nearly perfect, showcasing the performance of its **methane-fueled BE-4 engines**, built by **Blue Origin**, alongside its enhanced **Centaur upper stage**. This achievement has paved the way for ULA to once again pursue NASA contracts, competing with SpaceX and the potential of **Blue Origin’s New Glenn** rocket.
A subsequent test flight, **Cert-2**, is scheduled for **October 4, 2024**, from **Cape Canaveral Space Force Station** in Florida. If successful, it will further reinforce Vulcan’s standing as a reliable candidate for NASA’s large-scale science missions and military payloads.
## Vulcan’s Significance in National Security and Space Exploration
The **US Space Force** has already committed to **25 launches** on ULA’s Vulcan rocket for military payloads and reconnaissance satellites for the **National Reconnaissance Office**. However, these operations depend on the successful outcome of Vulcan’s second test flight, which will enable the Space Force to certify the rocket for national security tasks.
As per **Tim Dunn**, senior launch director at NASA’s Launch Services Program (LSP), the Vulcan rocket’s inaugural flight was a significant achievement, allowing ULA to compete for future NASA missions. While NASA has yet to officially certify Vulcan for science missions, the rocket is now in contention for contract consideration. Upcoming prominent NASA missions that Vulcan could potentially launch include the **Dragonfly mission** to explore Saturn’s moon **Titan** and the **NEO Surveyor** asteroid-hunting telescope.
## An Evolving Landscape in Space Launch Services
The arrival of Vulcan signals an important transition in the competitive landscape for space launch services. For almost a decade, ULA, a joint operation between **Boeing** and **Lockheed Martin**, dominated the launch of large NASA science missions and military satellites. However, the emergence of **SpaceX** has significantly reshaped the market. SpaceX’s **Falcon 9** and **Falcon Heavy** rockets have served as the sole options for NASA’s large missions since 2021, following ULA’s sale of its remaining Atlas V rockets to Amazon.
For example, ULA did not propose to launch NASA’s **GOES weather satellite** or the **Roman Space Telescope**, two lucrative launch contracts in recent years. Consequently, NASA opted for SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy for both launches. With Vulcan now involved, ULA reenters the competition, providing NASA with more options for its large science missions.
## Vulcan’s Journey to Full Certification
The second Vulcan test flight, **Cert-2**, is a pivotal step towards full certification by both NASA and the Space Force. This flight will illustrate additional capabilities of the rocket, supplying more data for certification teams to assess. NASA and the Space Force are closely collaborating to ensure that Vulcan satisfies the rigorous standards for launching high-value payloads, including national security satellites and NASA’s flagship science missions.
According to Dunn, the second certification flight will bolster confidence in Vulcan’s capability to fulfill the requirements of both NASA and the Space Force in the next decade. The partnership between NASA and the Space Force is crucial in guaranteeing that the rocket is fully certified for a diverse array of missions.
## Blue Origin’s New Glenn: Another Contender on the Horizon
While ULA’s Vulcan is making waves, **Blue Origin’s New Glenn** rocket is also gearing up as a contender for NASA’s larger, pricier missions. New Glenn is anticipated to achieve its first flight shortly, and similar to Vulcan, it will need to validate its capabilities before being fully accredited for NASA’s high-stakes missions.
Blue Origin has already obtained a contract to launch NASA’s **ESCAPADE mission to Mars**, a smaller endeavor that entails less
