Vulcan rocket stacked and tested for Amazon LEO missions

  • Vulcan rocket was stacked in the newly commissioned Amazon VIF-A at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
  • The processing involved Space Launch Complex 41 and VLP-A, the second Vulcan platform serving Amazon LEO missions.
  • The LEO-optimized Centaur V upper stage is 35 ft tall, six feet shorter, and carries one-third less propellant.
  • Vulcan completed first-article testing and system readiness checks, with no launch date established.
  • The rocket is expected to remain at the pad for approximately one week.

What happened

A Vulcan rocket has been stacked in the newly commissioned Amazon Vertical Integration Facility (VIF-A) and has completed testing milestones at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The work involved Space Launch Complex 41 and VLP-A, the second Vulcan platform to serve Amazon LEO missions.

What we know

The launch site is Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

VLP-A is the second Vulcan platform to serve Amazon LEO missions, and VIF-A is newly commissioned.

The rocket was stacked in VIF-A, the VLP-A and rocket milestone step was completed, and an initial test day was accomplished. The rocket also underwent first-article testing and system readiness checks.

The Centaur V upper stage is LEO-optimized and was created to match Amazon's needs.

The LEO-optimized Centaur V's listed specifications are 35 ft, 6 ft shorter, and one-third less propellant.

Vulcan is expected to remain at the pad for approximately one week. The launch date has not been established.

Why it matters

This matters because it documents launch-site processing, newly commissioned integration facilities, and vehicle testing for Amazon LEO missions. It also shows a Centaur V configuration tailored to Amazon and a launch date that remains unset.

Sources

  1. 1.United Launch Alliance blog

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