Publisher's Synopsis
First Moon Mission of United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur Rocket
Vulcan Centaur is the most powerful rocket built by United Launch Alliance (ULA), representing the cutting edge of US launch vehicle technology. In this gripping tale, we journey behind the scenes to witness the Herculean effort to develop this advanced rocket against all odds. Beginning with an overview of Vulcan's ambitious capabilities, the book delves into ULA's urgent drive to replace Russian-made engines in their rockets amidst rising geopolitical tensions-a vulnerability SpaceX exploited as they raced to dominate market share. Outmatched, ULA fought back by forging ahead with plans to build Vulcan, blending Atlas V and Delta IV innovations using new American-made engines. Vivid accounts reveal Vulcan rising from the factory floor-rollouts, testing tankage integrity, meeting fiery milestones during critical hot-fire operations, resolutely marching towards do-or-die inaugural launch day. We watch along with bated breath as the pressure mounts, setbacks threaten years of delay, leaders face gut-check decisions that could make or break the company. Finally the countdown for inaugural flight hits zero and Vulcan roars to life, achieving orbit in commanding fashion before our eyes. ULA's big gamble pays off, opening the door not only for critical national security missions, but also new frontiers in human space exploration for decades to come. Vulcan now ascends towards the heavens, carrying on its broad shoulders America's spacefaring ambitions. This intense drama provides unprecedented perspective on the world rarely witnessed outside rocket factories and mission control. For anyone interested in understanding the immense challenges of technological leapfrogging in the modern space industry, this book is essential reading.
