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. So please go over to YouTube, youtube.com slash, and space news pod. Thanks for listening to the show
today. If you liked this episode, please take a second and hit the Subscribe button for more Elon Musk news every single day. So thank you for that. And also please take care of yourselves and each other and I'll see you in the next one.