4 solid rocket boosters fly together for Space Force's most powerful Vulcan launch ever

Four Northrop Grumman-built GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters launch United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur rocket for the U.S. Space Force. (Photo Credit: United Launch Alliance)

 

 

 

 

Four Northrop Grumman 63-inch-diameter extended length Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM 63XL) delivered nearly two million pounds of thrust to help power the first certified launch of United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket and the U.S. Space Force-106 mission.

This launch marks the first time four GEM 63XL boosters have flown together, making it the most powerful Vulcan configuration to date.

Northrop Grumman also provided an ESPAStar™ spacecraft bus for the mission's Navigation Technology Satellite 3 payload.


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