ULA Vulcan Fails to Orbit 40 Amazon Leo Satellites in First Rocket Loss Since 2006
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Nov 15
ULA Vulcan Fails to Orbit 40 Amazon Leo Satellites in First Rocket Loss Since 2006
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Nov 15
Summary
10 minutes into Sunday’s flight, ULA said Vulcan suffered an anomaly during the Centaur upper-stage burn and failed to place 40 Amazon Leo satellites into orbit.
The loss was Vulcan’s fifth flight and ULA’s first outright rocket failure since the Boeing-Lockheed joint venture was formed in 2006, likely grounding the vehicle during a failure investigation.
Telemetry suggested the first stage burned and separated later than planned, while the Centaur made unusual orientation adjustments; ULA said the earlier strap-on booster nozzle issue did not appear to recur.
Amazon had bought 38 Vulcan launches for its broadband constellation and needs more than 3,300 satellites overall; this mission would have raised the number launched to 436.
The setback disrupts both companies’ launch schedules, with Amazon now waiting on ULA’s return-to-flight plan while also awaiting Blue Origin’s New Glenn to resume flights.