Florida Today by Emre Kelly 2/13/2021
First ULA Vulcan booster arrives at Cape; SpaceX set for next Starlink launch
A test article of United Launch Alliance's next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket arrived at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station early Saturday, setting the stage for a series of checkouts ahead of the vehicle's first launch later this year.
The Vulcan Centaur Pathfinder Tanking Test, or PTT booster, rolled off its ULA transport ship at the Navy's Poseidon Wharf around 9 a.m. Saturday. The 110-foot booster will first go to ULA's Spaceflight Operations Center, then Launch Complex 41 for a series of tests designed to familiarize teams with the new rocket.
Pathfinder boosters, typically non-functional, are common in spaceflight. Though lacking flight-ready components, the replicas allow teams to conduct fit checks with pad hardware, test fueling systems, and more.
"The pathfinding familiarizes the ground crew and the launch team with the advanced rocket, getting them accustomed to the enhanced techniques for pre-flight processing and running the countdown to configure a Vulcan Centaur for flight," ULA said.
More:
https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2021/02/13/first-ula-vulcan-booster-arrives-florida-spacex-set-launch/6729351002/
