/r/ula
News and discussion about United Launch Alliance
General Info
- Please read our community rules before participating.
- Check out the FAQ page and subreddit wiki for information about ULA, the EELV program, and much more.
Upcoming Launches
| Date, Time (UTC) | Payload | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-05-06 | Boe-CFT | Atlas V N22 |
| 2024-05 | USSF-51 | Atlas V |
| 2025 | ViaSat-3 EMEA | Atlas V 551 |
Updated 9 Apr. More details here.
Official ULA Pages
ULA and Tory Bruno on Twitter
Other Useful Links
Tory Bruno's AMAs:
Dr. George Sowers' April 15, 2015 AMA
Related Subreddits
Many more here.
This subreddit is fan-run and is not officially affiliated with United Launch Alliance. Visit www.ulalaunch.com for official news and updates.
/r/ula
12,125 Subscribers
Tory Bruno on X: "Is that a @blueorigin BE4 engine gliding in for mate to the CERT2 Vulcan booster? (Yes, it is…) #Vulcan"
18:15 UTC
Tory Bruno on X: "Farewell to the Majestic Delta IVH. A fitting and final bullseye... #DeltaIVHeavy #NROL70 #TheDeltaFinale"
17:06 UTC
Pueblo, CO
Does anyone currently work at the Pueblo location and if so, how is it?
16:08 UTC
Delta IV Heavy NROL-70 Launch Highlights
22:22 UTC
ULA launch tomorrow from pad 37
Hi all. Does anybody have any input on where would be the best spot to watch the launch tomorrow?
I'm currently in Orlando and excited to see my first rocket launch but am having issues trying to find the best location to see it from. I have heard that the space center is good but pad 37 is not the best to view from there.
Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks everyone
21:25 UTC
Tory Bruno on X: "Ok. By popular demand. The last Centaur III tank. (And 3 amazing craftsmen: Andrew, Jason, and Ian - thanks guys. Nice work)"
10:05 UTC
If spaceflightnow is correct about April 8th being the new launch date for NROL-70, that sure sucks.
C'mon NRO/ULA, are you guys really going to make me choose between a total solar eclipse and the final Delta IV Heavy launch? ;(
17:33 UTC
Delta IV Heavy poster I made to commemorate it's retirement (3D model, render and editing by me)
22:19 UTC
Delta IV Heavy, NROL-70 launch updates and discussion
The final flight of a Delta rocket, which traces its heritage back to the Thor ballistic missile, is scheduled for NET Tuesday, 9 April at 16:53 UTC (12:53 PM EDT) ULA's Delta IV Heavy rocket will launch the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. The payload is believed to be an [Orion reconnaissance satellite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_(satellite\)) destined for geosynchronous orbit.
#Watch the launch:
ULA's webcast will begin at 16:23 UTC (12:23 PM EDT)
#Updates:
| Date/Time (UTC) | Info |
|---|---|
| 11 May, 2023 | ULA's R/S RocketShip delivered Delta IV Heavy's Common Booster Cores to Cape Canaveral. |
| 20 Dec | The integrated Delta IV Heavy rocket was raised upright inside the Mobile Service Tower (MST) at SLC-37B. |
| 26 Feb, 2024 | The encapsulated NROL-70 payload was mated to its launch vehicle in the MST. |
| 25 Mar | There's a 30% chance of acceptable launch weather on Thursday. |
| 27 Mar | ULA, the NRO, and the Space Force have completed their Launch Readiness Review and are proceeding towards tomorrow's launch. |
| 28 Mar, 18:46 | Today's launch attempt has been scrubbed. |
| 2 Apr | Liftoff is now targeting Tuesday, 9 April at 16:53 UTC (12:53 PM EDT). |
| 9 Apr, T-0:00:05 | RS-68A ignition. |
| T+0:00:00 | Liftoff! Go Delta! Go NROL-70! |
| T+0:01:19 | Delta IV Heavy is now supersonic. |
| T+0:01:21 | Passing through maximum dynamic pressure. |
| T+0:03:56 | Port and starboard booster cutoff. |
| T+0:03:58 | Booster jettison. |
| T+0:05:36 | BECO. Delta IV Heavy's center booster has shut down. |
| T+0:05:42 | Stage separation confirmed. |
| T+0:05:55 | MES-1. The Delta Cryogenic Second Stage has ignited its RL10C-2-1 engine. |
| T+0:06:37 | Payload fairing jettison. This will conclude live coverage of today's mission. Stay tuned to ULA, Tory Bruno, and r/ULA on X for further updates. |
| The launch of NROL-70 has been declared a success! Mission success #160 for ULA. |
#Information & Resources:
Media:
Useful Links:
Twitter updates from ULA, Tory Bruno, and /r/ULA on X
19:23 UTC
Tory Bruno on X: "Centaur Vs stacking up in the Rocket Factory in Decatur. A beautiful sight… #VulcanRocket"
19:37 UTC
Tory Bruno on X: "Ok. By popular demand, here is a #ToryTimelapse of the last #DeltaHeavy getting stacked. Enjoy"
20:13 UTC
NRO on X: "LAUNCH UPDATE: It’s time for #TheFinalFarewell of the Delta IV Heavy. #NROL70 is scheduled to launch the final @ulalaunch #DeltaIVHeavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (@SLDelta45) on March 28."
15:08 UTC
Tory Bruno tweeted a nice graphic that showed the evolution of the Vulcan design.
22:16 UTC
The Creation of Vulcan: ULA's Mark Peller - NSF Live
17:20 UTC
ULA on X: "Today we begin stacking the 100th #AtlasV, but this flight will be unlike any of the previous. This rocket will launch @NASA @Commercial_Crew astronauts Butch Wilmore & Suni Williams on the Crew Flight Test (#CFT) for @BoeingSpace’s #Starliner to the @Space_Station!"
16:39 UTC
Atlas V booster separation [OC]
00:15 UTC
Vulcan Cert-1: Behind the Scenes with ULA's Launch Conductor Dillon Rice
14:20 UTC
Tory Bruno on X: "Nothing quite as pretty on a Wednesday morning as a brand new shiny #BE4 rolling over to get installed on the next #Vulcan..."
12:43 UTC
Tory talking about low vs high architecture
16:48 UTC