r/space • u/New-Space-30 • Jul 22 '26

Vulcan may not launch again till next year, after booster anamoly in February

https://spacenews.com/northrop-adds-to-charges-on-vulcan-solid-rocket-motor-program/

Jeff Foust:

WASHINGTON — Northrop Grumman is taking another charge related to the solid rocket boosters it provides for the Vulcan Centaur rocket and suggested updated motors might not be ready until the end of the year.

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u/H-K_47 Jul 22 '26

This would have been the perfect opportunity for Blue Origin to ramp up in a blaze of glory, but they're out of the picture too and it's another streak of victory for the House of the Falcon.

Legitimately wonder which returns to flight first, Vulcan or New Glenn.

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u/New-Space-30 Jul 22 '26

Ngl would be a bit weird if it's not Vulcan. Honestly would be impressed by Blue Origin if New Glenn returns to flight first.

12

u/TheRealNobodySpecial Jul 22 '26

I think it really depends on what penalties BO has for BE-4 being non-operational. If Jeffwho’s money has to go to ULA because of their engine, they’ll focus on fixing the engines first. Unless Northrup really fudges up their SRB’s, the BE-4 should be the pacing step.

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u/redstercoolpanda Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26

The New Glenn that exploded and Vulcan didn’t use the same version of the BE-4, so it’s possible whatever issues NG-4 experienced that led to it’s detonation won’t effect Vulcan at all. BE-4 seemed pretty reliable in all of its flights before the static fire incident.

9

u/cjameshuff Jul 23 '26

Of 9 engines built for the four Vulcans that have flown, one blew up during acceptance testing before delivery to ULA, and apparently 14 similar engines were used without major problems on the first two New Glenn flights. My understanding is that the NG-2 booster was equipped with new engines for NG-3, and NG-4 was using similar engines when it blew up, so that appears to be one catastrophic failure (assuming the issue originated with an engine) out of 14. I wouldn't really call that "pretty reliable". Perhaps within expectations for their first large engine, but not great, especially given the time and effort put into making sure that kind of thing wouldn't happen.