ULA's Vulcan rocket launches as the newest challenger to SpaceX

United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket successfully launched its inaugural mission from Florida’s Cape Canaveral early Monday. Vulcan deployed its main payload, the Peregrine lunar cargo lander for a Pittsburgh-based company, which plans to land on the moon on Feb. 23. The launch represents a significant development in the competitive space industry, challenging the dominance of a single player. ULA’s Vulcan is a contender against SpaceX for lucrative national security rocket contracts. The successful launch is also a milestone for Blue Origin, as its main engines power the Vulcan rocket. Discussions are reportedly underway to sell ULA, with several companies expressing interest.