NEXT-GENERATION SPACE ROCKET

Vulcan Centaur is a flexible launch system that can be adapted to different payloads

5 PAYLOAD

This could include, for example, two traditional satellites and up to 24 small cubesats.

4 UPPER STAGE

The Centaur upper stage is powered by two tried-andtested RL10CX rocket engines.

1 MAIN ENGINES

Vulcan’s main rocket stage is powered by two BE-4 engines, manufactured by Blue Origin.

6 PAYLOAD FAIRING

Several options are available, all 5.4 metres in diameter but ranging from 15 to 20 metres in length.

3 INTERSTAGE ADAPTER

This component joins the Vulcan main stage to the Centaur upper stage.

2 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS

To provide additional thrust depending on the size of the payload, Vulcan carries up to six external solid rocket boosters.

“It’s a hugely ambitious piece of engineering”

1 2 4 3 5 6 NASA’S Surveyor 1 launched atop a Centaur upper stage