The RL10 first fired in 1959 and still powers Vulcan’s Centaur V upper stage. Here is how its closed expander cycle works, how it evolved from 15,000 lbf to a 3D-printed copper-chamber version, why it’s so reliable, and who builds it now.
Tag: ULA
GEM 63XL: The Giant Solid Boosters Strapped to Vulcan 💥
Vulcan’s six strap-on GEM 63XL solid boosters are the biggest monolithic single-cast solids ever made, according to Northrop Grumman. Here is how they compare with the Atlas V’s GEM 63, what the numbers say, and what we know about the two nozzle anomalies.
BE-4 Deep Dive: Blue Origin’s Methane Engine That Powers Two Different Rockets 🔥
The BE-4 is the methane and oxygen engine that powers New Glenn and ULA’s Vulcan. Here is how oxygen-rich staged combustion works, what the thrust numbers really mean, why it ran years late, and what the May 2026 valve problem tells us.
RD-180: The Russian-Built Heart of Atlas V, and Its Last Six Rockets 🚀
For more than 20 years Atlas rockets flew on the Russian-built RD-180. Here is how its oxygen-rich staged combustion works, why the US used it, what happened after 2014 and 2022, and how many engines and Atlas V rockets are left.
Atlas V’s Last Chapter, and What It Means for ULA 🌠
Atlas V’s final Amazon launch on July 2, 2026 closed a chapter. Six rockets remain, all reserved for Starliner, which makes Vulcan’s return even more important for ULA. Here is what it means.
Vulcan’s Booster Problem: What We Know on October 25, 2026 🔥
Vulcan has been grounded since a second solid rocket booster nozzle problem on February 12, 2026. Here is the timeline, what officials have actually said, what is still unknown on October 25, 2026, and what to watch next.
Vulcan Centaur Explained: ULA’s New Workhorse, Piece by Piece 🚀
Vulcan Centaur has flown four times and carries a huge backlog. Here is how its BE-4 engines, solid boosters and Centaur V upper stage fit together, how it compares with Atlas V, Delta IV Heavy, Falcon and New Glenn, and who is paying for it.
Vulcan Is Coming Back: ULA Sets November 13 for Its Return to Flight 🚀
After nine months on the ground, United Launch Alliance says Vulcan will fly again on Friday, November 13, carrying 40 Amazon Leo satellites on the first Vulcan ever to wear six solid rocket boosters. Here’s what changed, what we still don’t know, and why the Space Force will be watching closely.