L3Harris Technologies successfully supported United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) second launch of its Vulcan rocket with its propulsion and avionics systems. These systems were instrumental in the certification mission, which launched an inert mass simulator.
Kristin Houston, President, Space Propulsion and Power Systems, Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris: “The Vulcan rocket will support national security, commercial and civil missions. Our propulsion and avionics systems will enable Vulcan to continue ULA’s legacy of delivering unparalleled reliability and precision to its customers.”
The second Vulcan launch serves as a vital step in certifying the rocket to carry national security payloads for the U.S. Space Force.
The Vulcan rocket features two L3Harris-built RL10 engines, providing a combined thrust of approximately 48,000 pounds to the Centaur V upper stage. The rocket also uses 12 MR-107 attitude-control thrusters and pressurized helium tanks from L3Harris, essential to the operation of the launch vehicle. L3Harris’ avionics, including three different models of controllers, data acquisition units and the T-740U Telemetry Transmitter, also played a pivotal role in ensuring critical vehicle control and data transmission during the launch.
