For the first launch of ULA’s Vulcan rocket, it’s Christmas or next year

Enlarge / The first stage for ULA’s Vulcan rocket was lifted onto its launch platform at Cape Canaveral in January. (credit: United Launch Alliance)

Three days at Christmastime will be the final chance for United Launch Alliance to get its new Vulcan rocket off the ground this year, the company’s chief executive announced Tuesday.

Still waiting for delivery of an upper stage and a final round of qualification testing following a test mishap earlier this year, Tory Bruno, ULA’s CEO, told CNBC on Tuesday that the Vulcan rocket’s first demonstration flight is scheduled for launch December 24. There are two backup launch dates available December 25 and 26; otherwise, the launch will have to wait until January.

If the Vulcan rocket’s first flight happens on one of these dates, the launch will be at night, Bruno posted on the social media platform X.