While ULA is studying the Vulcan booster anomaly, it is also investigating aerodynamic issues

Vulcan and Atlas V use similar vehicle payload interfaces, and are both made by Beyond Gravity, the space division of Swiss company RUAG. The same company also supplies payload fairings for Europe's Ariane 6 and Vega rockets. Beyond Gravity manufactures the Atlas V and Vulcan rockets near ULA's rocket plant in Decatur, Alabama.

“The Vulcan payload fairing is manufactured by the same supplier on both the Atlas and Vulcan, and I would say there are fundamental differences and fundamental similarities between the Vulcan and Atlas payload fairings, and similarities in terms of manufacturing processes in that they both use a lowered payload fairing,” Horn said. “Pressure furnace…which is basically the same type of carbon fiber throw technology.”

ULA now has a second “observation” to investigate as the company prepares to launch the first operational flight of its Vulcan rocket. On Vulcan's second test flight on October 4, the nozzle fell out of one of the rocket's solid-fuel boosters less than 40 seconds after liftoff. The booster continued firing, and the Vulcan main engines compensated for the asymmetrical thrust from the two engines, allowing the rocket to complete its ascent into space and reach its planned trajectory.

Despite the booster nozzle failure, the Vulcan rocket's performance to overcome the problem convinced ULA and Space Force officials that there was no need for another test flight. Space Force officials hope to launch the first national security mission on Vulcan's surface before the end of the year. ULA is already stacking the Vulcan rocket for this launch, though officials have not set a launch date as engineers comb through data on booster anomalies and ensure the payload is ready for launch.

While Horne did not discuss the payload for the debris observations in detail, he said the Space Force could choose to certify the Vulcan rocket for launch for national security purposes “with open work as long as we are convinced we are on a good path to resolution.” “From any technical problems.

“However, when you have an intersection between similarities, design and production, you're always looking to make sure you don't have a similar problem, even if the mission profile is completely different, like Vulcan,” Horn said.