“Over the next year, ULA will be doubling its launch rate capacity in support of our Amazon customer and to ensure timely deliveries of the rockets to the launch site, we needed to build a second ship to support our transportation needs,” said Chris Ellerhorst, ULA’s vice president of the Kuiper Program. <\/p>\n
Established in 2019 by Amazon, Project Kuiper is an initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit. ULA is the launch provider with 38 missions scheduled using the company’s new Vulcan rocket. Vulcan, which made its first launch in January 2024, is the successor to the well-known Delta IV Heavy Rocket from ULA. The company reported as of January that it had sold more than 70 Vulcan launches, both to Amazon and multiple national security space launch missions.<\/p>\n
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![\"\"](\"\/media\/images\/article\/Photos\/Vessels_Large\/RocketShip-exterior.jpg\")
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RocketShip was the first vessel ULA built to transport its components to the launch site (ULA)<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Built in 2000, the 312-foot (95-meter) RocketShip<\/em> is a unique RoRo cargo ship. It can carry the entire Delta IV including three boosters, the second stage, and the payload fairings. The 4,700 dwt vessel has a stern ramp for loading and is capable of both ocean travel and inland river access to the company’s plant in Decatur, Alabama. They highlight the ship travels over 8,800 miles during 23 days to carry rockets to Vandenburg Air Force Base in California or 1,700 miles over eight days to the launch facility at Port Canaveral, Florida. <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"\/media\/images\/article\/Photos\/Vessels_Large\/RocketShip-interior.jpg\")
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