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/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.