United Launch Alliance Announces Creation of Reusable Rocket with US-Made Engine
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Previous United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is seen ahead of its launch in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, United States on January 21, 2015. (Photo by Kenan Irtak/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)(NEW YORK) — The United Launch Alliance, a partnership between Boeing and Lockheed-Martin, announced on Tuesday the creation of a new reusable rocket that will no longer use a Russian engine.
The “Vulcan” rocket is expected to be capable of involvement in missions ranging from low-Earth orbit to missions to Pluto. “More capabilities in space mean more capabilities here on Earth,” Tony Bruno, president and CEO of ULA said in a statement. “Because the Next Generation Launch System will be the highest-performing, most cost-efficient rocket on the market, it will open up new opportunities for the nation’s use of space.”
The Vulcan name was chosen by online vote, no doubt boosted by Star Trek fans.
ULA partnered with Blue Origin, LLC, a privately-funded aerospace company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to create the U.S.-made engine.
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