ULA Vulcan Rocket Hardware Verification System
Space Systems Command has recently awarded SpaceX and ULA contracts for 12 National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions—six for each—set for Fiscal Year 2025. This aligns with the increasing demand for robust data infrastructure within USSF’s Space Launch Squadrons (SLS) to ensure mission assurance as launch frequency rises year over year.
Over the past few months, I’ve been working on an ETL pipeline for processing data from the Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle. This follows my prior involvement with the 5 SLS Falcon Tech Team, where I contributed to mission assurance for SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
Recently, my team concluded a series of meetings in Los Angeles with the Space Force’s Vulcan Audits and Hardware Review team. These sessions focused on labor vectoring, knowledge transfer, and collaborative working groups. We examined the complex interplay between vehicle configuration changes and their operational implications. Engaging directly with military leadership deepened our understanding of mission-critical requirements, contributing to more effective product development.
For those less familiar, mission assurance in the space launch industry ensures that every phase of a mission—from pre-launch through post-launch—adheres to stringent safety and performance standards. Our role primarily involves auditing commercial entities like SpaceX and ULA, validating that their assembly and pre-launch procedures meet all requirements.
Our approach introduces a data-driven approach to identify any irregularities or risks during rocket assembly and processing. By analyzing statistical patterns, we can detect recurring issues with components or identify trends that may signal potential failures, ensuring proactive mitigation strategies are in place.