CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — United Launch Alliance aims to return its Vulcan rocket to flight this year after an earlier grounding, confirming it is making proactive engine valve modifications following a recent technical issue.
The Vulcan rocket has been grounded since a booster issue in February. Current modifications involve BE-four engines, used in Vulcan and Blue Origin’s New Glenn. In May, Blue Origin found an explosive anomaly related to the main oxygen valve on one engine, prompting a retrofit.
Modifications are being made to the BE-four engines currently in United Launch Alliance inventory. These modifications are being performed by Blue Origin on engines already installed on Vulcan rockets at the factory in Decatur, Ala. and at launch facilities in Cape Canaveral.
Dr. Ken Kremer, a space expert, noted the technical variations between the power plants used on the two different launch vehicles. “There is slight differences between the BE-four’s on Vulcan. And the BE-4s on New Glenn, like the ones on the New Glenn are recycled, whereas the ones on Vulcan are disposable, but those are small changes, smaller changes,” Kremer said. “So that’s where it stands right now.”
The adjustments to the valves are designed for quick retrofitting to existing engines. Kremer explained that while the changes are manageable, significant preparation remains for both companies involved in the launches. “So there’s a lot of work to be done before they can even think about launching either one of those rockets,” Kremer said.
United Launch Alliance expects to meet its objective of returning the Vulcan rocket to flight before the end of the year. The schedule for the modification efforts remains aligned with this target.
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