Moog Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B) has announced the successful first flight of the company’s new hydraulic actuators that steered United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan rocket.
Vulcan’s inaugural flight lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on January 8, 2024, at 2:18 a.m. ET. The Cert-1 mission is the first of two certification flights required for the U.S. Space Force’s certification process. The second certification mission (Cert-2) is planned to launch in the coming months, followed by a launch of the first Vulcan mission to support national security space.
Moog designed and manufactured new hydraulic actuators for the thrust vector control system first stage main engines. These actuators leverage seven decades of precision motion control experience and performed flawlessly positioning the engines to steer Vulcan. Moog also provides upper stage TVC and cryogenic valve controls for Vulcan. Moog has provided actuation solutions since the inception of spaceflight and this latest launch adds to the company’s 100% success rate steering launch vehicles.
The company has a long-standing relationship with ULA, supplying actuation systems on every ULA launch vehicle since the company’s inception. ULA recently recognized these efforts and this partnership in 2023, by awarding Moog “Supplier of the Year for Innovation.” ULA is the most experienced space launch company in the U.S. with more than 155 consecutive launches and a 100% mission success rate.
Moog has designed and developed mission-critical solutions for the space market since the inception of spaceflight, contributing to the success of Apollo, Artemis, EO, and national security missions for more than 60 years.
“Moog’s high performance control actuation systems deliver precision steering and are designed to work the first time, every time,” said Mark Covelli, Senior Vice President, Moog Space Division. “The success of our systems on Vulcan’s first flight is a testament to Moog’s dedicated team members who made this a reality and the company’s continued dedication to innovation and excellence.”
Moog Inc. is a worldwide designer, manufacturer, and integrator of precision control components and systems. Moog’s high-performance systems control military and commercial aircraft, satellites, and space vehicles, launch vehicles, missiles, automated industrial machinery, and marine and medical equipment.