Aurora
Tuning into the cosmos…
LoadingVulcan VC2S
Vulcan VC2S | Certification Flight 2
Vulcan VC2S | Certification Flight 2 launched on Fri, Oct 4, 2024, 11:25 AM UTC — a United Launch Alliance mission.
Launch SuccessfulUnited Launch Alliance
Lifted offNET Oct 2024
NET Fri, Oct 4, 2024, 11:25 AM UTC
Live coverage
Watch the webcast
Mission profile
The flight at a glance
Vulcan VC2SVehicle
United Launch AllianceProvider
Space Launch Complex 41Pad
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USALocation
Test FlightMission type
Heliocentric N/AOrbit
Flight sequence
Mission timeline
Key events from liftoff — ignition, staging, separation and deployment — with their times relative to T0.
- IgnitionT- 00:00:05
- LiftoffT+ 00:00:01
- SupersonicT+ 00:01:10
- Max-QT+ 00:01:16
- SRB SeparationT+ 00:01:49
- MECOT+ 00:04:59
- Stage 2 SeparationT+ 00:05:05
- SES-1T+ 00:05:15
- Fairing SeparationT+ 00:05:23
- SECO-1T+ 00:15:56
- SES-2T+ 00:30:54
- SECO-2T+ 00:34:55
Flight simulation
Ascent to orbit
A representative gravity-turn climb for Vulcan VC2S to Heliocentric N/A. Illustrative model — not this mission’s live telemetry.
Mission timeT+0:00
Altitude0.0 km
Velocity0.00 km/s
PhaseLiftoff
T+0:00 / 18:20
SimulatedRepresentative Vulcan VC2S ascent profile — illustrative model, not this mission’s live telemetry.
The mission
Certification Flight 2
Replacement Vulcan test launch with inert payload, experiments, and demonstrations for certification with the USSF after delays caused by payload testing of the Sierra Space Dreamchaser CRS SNC-1 mission, the original planned payload. One of the GEM-63XL SRBs was observed to blown out its booster nozzle at T+37 seconds, causing reduced and asymmetric thrust during ascent, however the performance shortfall was fully compensated by Vulcan's other stages.
Around this launch
Related news
No news linked to this launch yet
As coverage publishes, deduplicated articles about this mission will appear here.
Good to know
Frequently asked
What time does Vulcan VC2S | Certification Flight 2 launch?
Vulcan VC2S | Certification Flight 2 is scheduled to lift off Fri, Oct 4, 2024, 11:25 AM UTC.
Where can I watch Vulcan VC2S | Certification Flight 2?
Watch the official live webcast embedded on this page — it goes live shortly before liftoff.
Who is launching Vulcan VC2S | Certification Flight 2?
Vulcan VC2S | Certification Flight 2 is an United Launch Alliance mission flying on a Vulcan VC2S.
Where does Vulcan VC2S | Certification Flight 2 launch from?
It lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.