Future of ULA national security support
advances to Vulcan rocket
CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE
STATION, Fla., July 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- United
Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched the company's
100th national security mission to orbit with the launch
of an Atlas V rocket on July 30 at
6:45 a.m. EDT from Space Launch
Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The rocket,
carrying the USSF-51 mission for the United States Space Force's
Space Systems Command (SSC), marks a key milestone in a
longstanding legacy of dedication to national security. ULA has
launched 100 of the 119 critical U.S. Space Force and National
Reconnaissance Office (NRO) missions flown since ULA was formed in
December 2006.
"It's incredibly gratifying to reflect on the steadfast
partnership we've been honored to share with the U.S. Space Force
since the founding of ULA," said Gary
Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial
Programs. "We're grateful for the opportunity to continue building
on this trusted partnership and take very seriously the
responsibility of promptly launching essential National Security
Space satellite assets to orbit amidst the heightened threat
environment our nation is facing in space."
USSF-51 marks the final national security mission launched
aboard the Atlas V rocket as ULA prepares to launch future National
Security Space (NSS) missions on the next generation Vulcan rocket.
Vulcan's inaugural launch this past January marked the beginning of
a new era of space capabilities by providing higher performance and
greater affordability through the world's only high energy
architecture rocket designed to deliver any payload, at any time,
to any orbit.
"The Atlas family of rockets has played a pivotal role in the
advancement of national security and space superiority since the
1950s," said Tory Bruno, ULA's
president and CEO. "Although today marks the final liftoff of a
National Security Space mission aboard an Atlas rocket, we look
forward to extending a legacy of outstanding teamwork and
collaboration with the U.S. Space Force as we launch future
missions for our national security partners aboard the Vulcan
rocket."
ULA's next launch is the second certification flight (Cert-2) of
the Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station,
Florida. Vulcan will also launch
USSF-106 and USSF-87, two critical NSS missions, to orbit later
this year.
All rockets are not created equal. ULA is the nation's most
experienced, reliable and accurate launch service provider
delivering unmatched value, a tireless drive to improve, and
commitment to the extraordinary. Vulcan's inaugural launch marked
the beginning of a new era of space capabilities and
provides higher performance and greater affordability while
offering the world's only high energy architecture rocket to
deliver any payload, at any time, to any orbit.
For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at
www.ulalaunch.com and join the conversation on social media
@ulalaunch.
Mission webpage
Mission Photo Album Link.
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SOURCE United Launch Alliance (ULA)