Igniting Atlas's Legacy: ULA's Journey to Launching Humans into Space

🚀ULA is reigniting Atlas's legacy by using the Atlas 5 rocket for launching humans into space.

💡The Atlas 5 Common Core booster, powered by an RD 180 engine, provides additional thrust for the rocket.

🛰️ULA's ultra thin stainless steel Centaur upper stage enhances the rocket's aerodynamic characteristics, stability, and loads.

🚧The Starliner spacecraft, capable of carrying up to five crew members, is attached to the Atlas 5 rocket with a launch vehicle adapter.

🔒An emergency detection system adds an extra layer of safety for astronauts during the mission.

What is ULA's approach to launching humans into space?

—ULA uses the Atlas 5 rocket, equipped with a Common Core booster and stainless steel Centaur upper stage, to launch crew flights and carry the Starliner spacecraft.

How many crew members can the Starliner spacecraft carry?

—The Starliner spacecraft is capable of carrying up to five crew members.

What is the purpose of the emergency detection system?

—The emergency detection system provides an additional layer of safety for astronauts during the mission.

What engine powers the Atlas 5 Common Core booster?

—The Atlas 5 Common Core booster is powered by an RD 180 engine for additional thrust.

What role does the Centaur upper stage play in the rocket?

—The Centaur upper stage, made of ultra thin stainless steel, enhances the rocket's aerodynamic characteristics, stability, and loads.

00:01ULA is reigniting Atlas's legacy by using the Atlas 5 rocket for launching humans into space.

00:12The Atlas 5 Common Core booster, powered by an RD 180 engine, provides additional thrust for the rocket.

00:28ULA's ultra thin stainless steel Centaur upper stage enhances the rocket's aerodynamic characteristics, stability, and loads.

00:40The Starliner spacecraft, capable of carrying up to five crew members, is attached to the Atlas 5 rocket with a launch vehicle adapter.

00:49An emergency detection system adds an extra layer of safety for astronauts during the mission.

01:01With production complete, the rocket travels from ULA's Factory in Alabama to the launch site in Cape Canaveral.

01:23Once in Florida, ULA's Launch operations team begins a series of events leading to today's countdown.

01:37The rocket is transported from the vertical integration facility to the pad, riding on the mobile launch platform.