Vulcan Centaur 4S

VC4S

Mission Profile

The Vulcan Centaur 4S (VC4S) is a two-stage American launch vehicle in the Vulcan family, a higher-performance configuration featuring four GEM-63XL solid rocket boosters and a Centaur V upper stage, developed under the NSSL programme. Standing 61.6 m tall with a 5.4 m diameter and a liftoff mass of 637 tonnes, it generates 11,560 kN of liftoff thrust and can deliver 15,700 kg to low Earth orbit or 7,400 kg to geostationary transfer orbit. First flying in October 2024, the Vulcan Centaur 4S provides the additional thrust needed for the heaviest US national security payloads.