A brand-new rocket was launched from Cape Canaveral, Fla., earlier today, catapulting a robotic spacecraft toward the moon. No U.S. craft has landed on the moon since 1972. United Launch Alliance, a partnership between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, saw the successful launch of the Vulcan Centaur rocket as a vital milestone. The Vulcan aims to replace two older rockets and serve as a crucial launchpad for U.S. national security requisites. It is the first of several next-generation rockets that could challenge the established supremacy of SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk. Besides SpaceX, other new space projects could include the Ariane 6 rocket from European company Arianespace and Blue Origin’s New Glenn from Jeff Bezos. Vulcan is designed to carry out various missions with the ability to be reconfigured accordingly. Its initial launch saw Peregrine, a spacecraft built by Astrobotic Technology, sent towards the moon. Additionally, other payloads included memorials for several prominent figures, sparking controversy over the sacredness of the moon. This launch heralds a new era of space missions, with Vulcan poised to play a significant part.
