Did you know? Decatur’s rocket production facility is diligently working on United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket at the moment. If all goes accordingly, the rocket will launch later this year.
The rocket factory
Did you know Decatur’s rocket production facility is one of the largest in the nation? The 1.6 million-square-foot factory has played a major role in Alabama’s aerospace industry for years now.
Before adding the next-generation Vulcan Centaur into production, the factory focused on building United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V and Delta IV rockets.
According to recent reports, there are eight Vulcan rockets in the production flow at Decatur’s rocket production facility for now. The same report stated 70 total Vulcan rockets had been ordered.
Some of those may be related to the announcement Amazon made in April. At that time, Amazon announced using the Vulcan rocket for 38 launches as part of the company’s Project Kuiper.
To clarify, Project Kuiper is Amazon’s initiative to provide more global broadband access through a series of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit.
Click here to keep up with the latest Vulcan Centaur updates with the countdown to completion.
More about Decatur’s rocket facility
Decatur’s rocket production facility sits on a 35-acre site. The massive structure accommodates massive builds that require precision and plenty of room. Inside it is always a comfortable 72 degrees for quality assurance.
Recently, the facility was given a few boosts of its own to support the Vulcan build. Those include a robotic assembly line for tank fabrication as well as a weld system and welding equipment upgrades, just to name a few.
Summary
From assembling future rockets to fishing on the Tennessee River, Decatur is one unique city! Learn more about community life with local spotlights and fun things to do by reading our blogs. If you are looking for your next apartment in The River City, come see us at 2222 Acadia Drive Southwest!