ULA launches second Vulcan rocket in certification bid

United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket successfully took off this morning, the company announced, taking the next step toward certification needed for certain future National Security Space Launches.

“The success of Vulcan’s second certification flight heralds a new age of forward-looking technology committed to meeting the ever-growing requirements of space launch and supporting our nation’s assured access to space,” CEO Tory Bruno said in a news release. “We had an observation on one of our solid-rocket boosters (SRB) that we are reviewing but we are overall pleased with the rocket’s performance and had a bull's-eye insertion.”

The heavy-lift rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, at 7:25 a.m., marking Vulcan’s second certification flight. Vulcan first launched in January in a successful Cert-1 flight.

Space Systems Command began reviewing performance data from the launch shortly after it took off, Space Launch Delta 45 Commander Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen said.

“We congratulate United Launch Alliance on its second launch of Vulcan,” said Panzenhagen, who is also the program executive officer for Assured Access to Space. “This is a significant achievement for both ULA and an important milestone for the nation’s strategic space lift capability.”