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Investing.com -- The United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan rocket, jointly developed by Boeing Co (NYSE:BA). and Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:LMT)., has received certification to launch national security satellites for the US Department of Defense. This certification makes it the second company, after SpaceX, to be permitted to handle such flights.
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Assured Access to Space organization announced the certification, making ULA eligible to launch National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions as one of two certified providers.
Brig. Gen. Panzenhagen, Program Executive Officer for Assured Access to Space, emphasized the importance of assured access to space for national security. He noted that the Vulcan’s certification will enhance the launch capacity, resiliency, and flexibility required for the nation’s most crucial space-based systems.
The NSSL certification process is stringent and requires launch service providers to demonstrate their ability to design, produce, and qualify a new launch system capable of successfully delivering national security space satellites to orbit.
The certification of the Vulcan rocket is the result of several years of effort by the Space Force and ULA. The process involved meeting 52 certification criteria, completing over 180 discrete tasks, two certification flight demonstrations, 60 payload interface requirement verifications, 18 subsystem design and test reviews, and 114 hardware and software audits. This extensive process establishes the technical baseline from which the Space Force will determine future flight worthiness for launch.
Panzenhagen praised the collaboration between the SSC and ULA teams, attributing the successful certification to their focus, dedication, and teamwork.
Tory Bruno, president and CEO of United Launch Alliance, expressed pride in having launched 100 national security space missions and gratitude for the opportunity to continue serving the nation with the new Vulcan rocket.
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