CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — After weeks of delays, United Launch Alliance (ULA) is set to launch its first-ever Vulcan rocket, a test flight that will also carry a private lunar lander to the moon. The launch will take place from ULA’s Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 2:18 a.m. EST (0718 GMT) on the Cert-1 mission. The Vulcan Centaur rocket’s readiness for commercial and government flights will be tested during this launch. Those who are interested in watching the historic event can do so online.
The rocket will be carrying the Peregrine moon lander, a private mission built by U.S. company Astrobotic. This lander will be carrying six experiments for NASA as part of the agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. If successful, it will be the first U.S. moon landing since Apollo 17 in 1972 and also the first private mission to land on the moon safely. In addition to the NASA experiments, the Peregrine will also carry other payloads, including a package for the delivery service DHL, a digital art gallery, and human DNA samples and cremated remains for space burial companies Celestis and Elysium.
The launch is scheduled for January 8 at 2:18 a.m. EST, but the launch window extends for 45 minutes until 3:03 a.m. EST. If weather conditions do not permit a launch on January 8, ULA has backup dates on January 9, 10, and 11. The weather forecast for January 8 looks favorable, with an 85% chance of good weather. However, the chance of good weather decreases to 40% on January 9 due to thick clouds, and is at 45% for both January 10 and 11.
For those who want to watch the launch online, NASA will provide a live webcast of the launch, beginning at 1:30 a.m. EST (0630 GMT). ULA will also host its own webcast, which can be found on ULA’s YouTube channel and ULA’s Vulcan Centaur Cert-1 mission page. Both webcasts will cover the last hour before launch and provide updates on the rocket’s progress.
The Vulcan Centaur Cert-1 mission is expected to last about 4 hours and 24 minutes. During this time, the Vulcan rocket will launch, shed its first stage, and deploy the Peregrine moon lander. If all goes well, the Peregrine will land on the moon on February 23.
If the launch on January 8 is not successful, ULA has three more days within its launch window to try again. However, if the mission cannot be launched within this four-day window, ULA will have to wait until January 23 due to the orbital mechanics required for the mission.
In conclusion, the United Launch Alliance is preparing for the launch of its first-ever Vulcan rocket, which will also carry a private lunar lander to the moon. The launch is scheduled for January 8, but there are backup dates available if necessary. Interested viewers can watch the launch online through NASA’s webcast or ULA’s webcast. The mission is expected to last about 4 hours and 24 minutes, with the Peregrine moon lander landing on the moon on February 23.