Cape Canaveral’s ULA crew have already stacked their next Vulcan rockets on their mobile launch platforms, anticipating the launch of the USSF-106 mission. However, the USSF-106 startup date has not been confirmed as Space Force’s Space Systems command is still withholding authentication.
Therefore, ULA is pivoting to another customer in its launch manifesto.
Amazon’s first production satellite group for the company’s Kuiper Internet Network is first lined up on ULA’s schedule. Amazon It was confirmed last month Shipment of Kuiper satellites to Cape Canaveral from its factory in Kirkland, Washington. Like ULA, Amazon has encountered its own delays by manufacturing Kuiper satellites.
“These satellites are built to withstand the harsh conditions of space and the journey there, processed upon arrival and ready for release,” Amazon posted on X. ”These satellites bring customers the fast and reliable internet, even in remote locations. Stay tuned for the first launch this year. ”
Amazon and Space Force account for almost all of ULA’s launch backlogs. Amazon has eight flights booked at Atlas V Rockets and 38 missions for Vulcan Launcher, deploying about half of the 3,232 satellites, competing with SpaceX’s Starlink network. Amazon also has a launch agreement with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin, owned by Arianespace and SpaceX.
The good news is that the United Launch Alliance has an inventory of Rockets waiting for a chance to fly. The company plans to complete the production of the remaining 15 Atlas V rockets within a few months, allowing its Decatur, Alabama plant to focus solely on production of Vulcan launch vehicles. ULA has all the major parts of the two Vulcan Rockets stored at Cape Canaveral.
“We have a rocket stockpile, which is kind of unusual,” Bruno said. “Normally you build it, you fly it, you build another… I’m sure anyone who’s ready to go to space that can go to space I hope.”
Space Force officials are currently aiming to complete the Vulcan rocket certification in late February or early March. This clears the pass to launch the USSF-106 mission after the next Atlas V. Once the Kuiper launch is off the ground, the team will return the Vulcan rocket components to the hangar and stack them again.
Space Force has not set a launch date for the USSF-106, but the service will be targeting the liftoff between the beginning of April and the end of June, nearly five years after ULA won a lucrative contract. He says he is narrowing down.
