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ULA Plans Vulcan Rocket Upgrade to Compete with SpaceX’s Starship

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United Launch Alliance (ULA), the rocket venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, is planning an upgrade to its Vulcan rocket in a bid to compete with SpaceX’s Starship in the growing low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite launch market. According to ULA CEO Tory Bruno, the company aims to develop a version of the Vulcan rocket specifically designed to meet the demands of the LEO market, which has been largely dominated by SpaceX’s Starlink satellite deployments.

“We recently completed a major trade study for what we need to be competitive in the future LEO market,” Bruno told Reuters at a military space conference in Orlando. “We’ve selected a modification to Vulcan that gives us significantly more mass to LEO and puts us in a competitive range.”

The Vulcan rocket, powered by engines from Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, has already completed its first two launches this year. Initially designed for Pentagon missions, the Vulcan is now being reconfigured to cater to the commercial LEO satellite market. One potential upgrade is the “Vulcan Heavy,” a version with three core boosters for increased payload capacity. Bruno also mentioned other “unique” configurations, including propulsion placements in unconventional locations.

SpaceX’s Starship, which is primarily designed for crewed missions to the Moon and Mars, has turned its attention to accelerating its Starlink satellite launches into LEO. This has intensified competition for launch providers, as companies like Amazon also aim to deploy large satellite networks to challenge Starlink’s dominance. ULA aims to complete the Vulcan upgrade before SpaceX’s Starship becomes fully operational for LEO satellite launches, which Bruno suggests could take several years.

ULA has secured several Vulcan missions with Amazon, aimed at launching the company’s Kuiper satellite network. This makes the Vulcan an integral part of Amazon’s strategy to rival SpaceX’s Starlink. SpaceX has already conducted six test flights of Starship, demonstrating its commitment to testing and improving the rocket’s capabilities, while ULA plans to finalize the Vulcan design before launching it commercially.

In 2024, ULA is set to conduct eight Vulcan missions and 12 Atlas V missions, its predecessor. The Vulcan’s starting launch price is about $110 million, slightly above SpaceX’s Falcon 9, and ULA has a backlog of roughly 70 missions, including those for Amazon.

Although ULA has been considering a sale, drawing interest from companies such as Sierra Nevada Corp and Blue Origin, Bruno has declined to comment on any acquisition discussions.

 

Boeing’s Intelsat 33e Satellite Breaks Apart in Space, Creating Significant Debris Field

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Boeing’s Intelsat 33e, a significant player in global communications, unexpectedly disintegrated in orbit over the weekend, resulting in the creation of at least 20 pieces of debris. Prior to this incident, the satellite had been operating from a stable geostationary orbit above the Indian Ocean, providing critical broadband communication services to regions spanning Europe, Africa, and Asia. However, the satellite ceased functioning on October 19, 2024, and Intelsat, its operating company, confirmed the total loss of the satellite just two days later, on October 21. The cause behind the satellite’s sudden breakdown remains shrouded in mystery, prompting investigations into the incident.

Following the breakdown of Intelsat 33e, the U.S. Space Force confirmed the satellite’s fragmentation into multiple debris pieces. Although the fragments currently pose no immediate threat to other operational satellites, the event highlights the ongoing issue of space debris and the potential hazards it poses to future space missions. Intelsat officials have announced that they are working closely with Boeing and relevant government agencies to uncover the root cause of the satellite’s malfunction. A Failure Review Board has been established to conduct a thorough investigation, ensuring that any findings can be used to enhance safety and reliability in future satellite operations.

This incident is particularly concerning as Intelsat 33e was part of Boeing’s EpicNG satellite platform, which was developed to provide next-generation communication capabilities. Launched in 2016, Intelsat 33e represented significant advancements in satellite technology. However, the platform has come under scrutiny following this latest failure, marking the second incident involving its satellites. Previously, Intelsat 29e experienced operational issues after potentially being struck by a micrometeoroid or affected by solar activity. These recurring failures have diminished the expected operational lifespan of these satellites, raising alarms about the overall reliability of Boeing’s satellite systems.

As the space industry continues to expand, the implications of this incident extend beyond the immediate loss of Intelsat 33e. It raises critical questions about the robustness of satellite designs and the challenges posed by the harsh environment of space. With an increasing number of satellites being launched, the management of space debris is becoming an urgent priority for space agencies and private operators alike. The investigations into Intelsat 33e’s failure will likely inform future designs and operational protocols, reinforcing the need for rigorous safety standards in satellite technology.

Boeing Strike Ends as West Coast Factory Workers Accept New Contract

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After seven weeks of halted production, Boeing’s West Coast factory workers voted to accept a new contract, bringing an end to a prolonged strike that impacted the company’s output and finances. In a 59% majority vote, members of Boeing’s largest union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), agreed to a contract that includes a 38% pay raise over four years. The approval comes after two previously rejected offers, and the new contract eases pressure on Boeing’s CEO Kelly Ortberg, who assumed the role amid the company’s financial struggles.

The strike, the first in 16 years for Boeing’s factory workers, was motivated by demands for fairer wages and a return to defined-benefit pensions, which were replaced a decade ago by 401(k) retirement plans. While the new contract doesn’t restore the old pension, it does increase company contributions to 401(k) plans, addressing a longstanding concern among employees. For some workers, the 38% pay raise, which includes an annual 4% bonus, achieved their goal of a 40% increase. “We got there,” remarked David Lemon, a Boeing worker in Seattle.

Ortberg acknowledged the challenges of the past few months and emphasized a renewed commitment to teamwork in a message to employees, highlighting the shared effort needed to reestablish Boeing’s reputation for excellence.

The labor dispute, which began on September 13, affected approximately 33,000 machinists who build popular models like the 737 MAX, 767, and 777 jets. During the strike, Boeing’s losses were estimated at $100 million per day in revenue, prompting the company to raise $24 billion from investors last week to protect its credit rating.

Production is expected to resume gradually, with 737 MAX output likely to remain below pre-strike targets for some time. Boeing anticipates that it will take weeks to fully ramp up production, as some employees may require retraining after the extended time away from the factory floor.

President Joe Biden and Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, who helped facilitate the contract negotiations, commended both sides on the agreement. “We’ve shown that collective bargaining works,” Biden said, underscoring his administration’s support for unions.

Despite the agreement, some union members expressed dissatisfaction. Thomas Amilowski, who works on Boeing’s 777 line, voted against the contract, criticizing union leaders for what he saw as a “defeatist mindset.” Jon Holden, IAM’s lead negotiator, acknowledged that 59% approval meant that “there were those who definitely were not happy with the vote,” but expressed optimism about rebuilding trust with Boeing’s leadership.

With the new contract in place, Boeing’s average machinists’ salary is expected to rise from $75,608 to $119,309 over four years, adding an estimated $1.1 billion to Boeing’s wage expenses. Additionally, the contract includes a $12,000 ratification bonus for each union member, contributing another $396 million in costs.

Union turnout was significant, with over 26,000 members voting, representing about 80% of the workforce. As workers prepare to return to production, Boeing and its employees face the challenge of rebuilding their relationship after a tense period of negotiations.