ULA Intends to Get the Blue Origin Engine Before 2022

7th Oct 2021
ULA Intends to Get the Blue Origin Engine Before 2022

United Launch Alliance hopes to get the Blue Origin engine BE-4 to work before 2022 and use it for their upcoming Vulcan Centaur rocket. If this does happen, then it could open up more opportunities in spaceflight as we know it.

United Launch Alliance has been working with Blue Origin to operate its BE-4 engine before 2021 ends. The company’s CEO, Tony Bruno, said this in August this year.

Partners Involved in the Blue Origin Engine Operation

The Space Force manages the National Security Space Launch program in collaboration with the National Reconnaissance Office. It allows for space access necessary for military operations.

United Launch Alliance has been allotted seven launches as part of this joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing. They will ensure continued capability without interruption from any source to make the Blue Origin engine operation successful.

Why ULA Wants the Blue Origin Engine to Work

ULA submitted a bid to fly its upcoming Vulcan Centaur rocket for the launch mission USSF-51 by national security space, but it is not on track by late 2022. The engine flaw of this vehicle could be one reason why it has fallen short in its bids. For now, the rocket is not certified by the Space Force, as it is considered experiencing some technical issues.

The engine performs even better than expected, with Bruno, ULA CEO saying that it has thousands of seconds of test time to go through different operating conditions.

Bruno also said that rocket engines are among the most complicated pieces of hardware in a rocket. He attests that they are complex and challenging, but he hopes to have the Blue Origin engine operational by year-end.

Read also:

New Delivery Date Is Set For The Bezos’ Blue Origin Engine Rockets To ULA
ULA Is Dissatisfied With Its Partnership With Blue Origin Due To Rocket Engine Development Delay
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