The second launch of the Vulcan Centaur rocket on October 4 revealed a manufacturing defect in the nozzle of one of its two side solid rocket boosters, as identified by United Launch Alliance (ULA). Approximately thirty seconds post-launch, the nozzle detached, yet the rocket successfully compensated for the thrust reduction caused by its absence and completed its mission. The solid rocket boosters are manufactured by Northrop Grumman. ULA CEO Tory Bruno confirmed that the root cause has been isolated and corrective actions are underway. Looking ahead, ULA is preparing for multiple heavy Vulcan Centaur launches set for 2025, with total development costs for the new rocket not exceeding $7 billion. This situation underscores the critical importance of rigorous quality assurance in aerospace manufacturing, emphasizing ULA’s commitment to addressing production flaws swiftly to ensure mission success.
