The Centaur is now undergoing modifications to strengthen its resilience, leading to the delay in the Vulcan’s maiden flight.
CEO Tory Bruno explained that the March 29 test failure was due to higher-than-anticipated pressures. This caused a hydrogen leak in the Centaur’s hydrogen tank’s upper dome.
ULA is implementing corrective actions, including welding a stainless steel ring around the top of the dome and adding stainless steel strips over the seams joining the dome segments.
Bruno emphasized that despite the delay the Vulcan’s development is nearly complete.
He expressed confidence in the rocket’s overall performance and stated that all the necessary adjustments are low-risk and straightforward.
Bruno also provided updates on the future launch schedule, mentioning that the Vulcan’s first flight will carry payloads such as Astrobotics’ Peregrine robotic moon lander, Blue Origin’s prototype Kuiper internet satellites, and a Celestis memorial with cremated remains.
The subsequent launch will involve Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser cargo ship, followed by the first national security launch a few months later.
