Just after takeoff from Florida’s Space Coast early Thursday, sparks burst from the exhaust of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket. Moments later, the rocket twisted but managed to regain control and continued on its path to orbit with several US military satellites.
This incident felt familiar to some space enthusiasts. Sixteen months back, a Vulcan rocket faced a similar hiccup when it lost a booster nozzle shortly after launch. That rocket also recovered and reached its intended orbit without major issues.
Details about the latest booster problem are still unclear, and ULA is investigating the situation. They are a partnership between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The recent anomaly resembles the 2024 malfunction, with video showing a fiery plume from one of the rocket’s solid-fuel boosters. The throat area, where the propellant casing meets the nozzle, is crucial for directing the burning gas to create thrust.
This plume appeared less than 30 seconds after liftoff at 4:22 AM EST. A little over a minute into its flight, the rocket released sparks and debris, followed by a noticeable rolling motion. Eventually, the boosters burned out and were jettisoned into the Atlantic Ocean. ULA reported that the rest of the mission proceeded smoothly.
Gary Wentz, ULA’s vice president of Atlas and Vulcan programs, noted, “We observed a significant performance anomaly during flight. Despite this, the Vulcan booster and Centaur operated normally and successfully placed the spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit.” ULA’s team is now carefully reviewing all data and images, working to understand what happened and ensure safety for future launches.
Interestingly, this kind of anomaly isn’t unique to ULA. According to a recent report by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), approximately 20% of rocket launches experience some form of technical issue. While many are minor, they still prompt thorough investigations to ensure reliability and safety. Such events remind us of the complexity and risks involved in space exploration.
With the rise of commercial space travel, incidents like these grab attention on social media. Reactions range from concern about safety to admiration for how quickly teams can respond to problems. This highlights the public’s growing interest in space missions and their outcomes.
