An important mission … The launch is critical for ULA after its new flagship rocket suffered nozzle failures on its solid rocket boosters on two of its first four missions, most recently during a flight in February. In both cases, the rocket overcame the nozzle failure and completed its mission, but officials at the US Space Force, ULA’s primary customer, lost confidence in Vulcan. It’s also important for the Space Force and Amazon, which have staked much of their future satellite fleets on the success of the Vulcan rocket.
Space Force says America needs a new spaceport. US Space Force leaders want a new spaceport up and running by 2030, adding a third heavy-lift launch site to relieve pressure on bases in Florida and California that have launched rockets into orbit for nearly 70 years, Ars reports. The obvious problem with that ambition is that 2030 is four years away, and Pentagon officials have not determined where the new spaceport should go or how to acquire land for it.
All options on the table … “We need this capability by 2030, but I’m also a pragmatist,” said Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, head of Space Systems Command. “That is not an inconsequential demand to build a spaceport when you factor in orbital regimes, safety, access to commodities, the Americans that live near it. In many ways, it’s much like an airport, but even louder. So there’s a lot of consideration.” Officials haven’t decided where to put a new spaceport. Garrant later said all options are on the table: a public-private partnership, a new military base, state land, or commercial land.
Next three launches
October 30: GSLV Mk.II | NVS-03 | Satish Dhawan Space Center, India | 18:21 UTC
October 31: Falcon 9 | Starlink 15-18 | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California | 03:48 UTC
November 2: Electron | QPS-SAR-20 | Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand | 08:45 UTC
