--- title: ULA Enters into an Agreement to Bring All Production, Sustaining Engineering and Development Work for Payload Fairings and Composite Structures In-House description: United Launch Alliance (ULA) announced today it has entered into an agreement with Beyond Gravity USA, Inc., to bring all production, sustaining engineering and development work for its Vulcan rocket’s payload fairings and composite structures in house. Upon closing of this agreement, before the end of the year, this work currently done by supplier Beyond Gravity will be transitioned to ULA.  image: https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/55090038361_4a73b4eac5_o.jpg --- [![ULA\_Logo](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/ULA_Logo.png)](https://www.ulalaunch.com/) [![](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/Back%20Arrow%20Blue.png) Back To Releases](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases) ## [ULA Enters into an Agreement to Bring All Production, Sustaining Engineering and Development Work for Payload Fairings and Composite Structures In-House](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/ula-enters-into-an-agreement-to-bring-all-production-sustaining-engineering-and-development-work-for-payload-fairings-and-composite-structures-in-house) November 4, 2026 [![Share on facebook](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/facebook.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/ula-enters-into-an-agreement-to-bring-all-production-sustaining-engineering-and-development-work-for-payload-fairings-and-composite-structures-in-house&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [![Share on twitter](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/ula-enters-into-an-agreement-to-bring-all-production-sustaining-engineering-and-development-work-for-payload-fairings-and-composite-structures-in-house&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/ula-enters-into-an-agreement-to-bring-all-production-sustaining-engineering-and-development-work-for-payload-fairings-and-composite-structures-in-house&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=ULA+Enters+into+an+Agreement+to+Bring+All+Production%2C+Sustaining+Engineering+and+Development+Work+for+Payload+Fairings+and+Composite+Structures+In-House) [![Share on linkedin](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/linkedin.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/ula-enters-into-an-agreement-to-bring-all-production-sustaining-engineering-and-development-work-for-payload-fairings-and-composite-structures-in-house&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) ![](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/55090038361_4a73b4eac5_o.jpg) Photo by United Launch Alliance *Vertical Integration of Major Structural Components Key to*  *Maintaining Quality and Driving Efficiencies* Centennial, Colo., (Nov. 4, 2026) – United Launch Alliance (ULA) announced today it has entered into an agreement with Beyond Gravity USA, Inc., to bring all production, sustaining engineering and development work for its Vulcan rocket’s payload fairings and composite structures in-house. Upon closing of this agreement, before the end of the year, this work currently done by supplier Beyond Gravity will be transitioned to ULA.  “We are continually looking for opportunities to vertically integrate products we have historically purchased from a supplier,” said ULA President and CEO Mark Peller. “Bringing this production work in-house allows for us to drive our processes, maintain our high quality, improve efficiencies and continue to reduce the costs of our rockets to our customers.”  Vulcan’s payload fairing (PLF) provides a controlled, safe environment for spacecraft during ascent. All ULA fairings are configured for off-pad payload encapsulation to enhance payload safety and security and minimize on-pad time. The fairing is a bisector (two-piece shell) sandwich composite structure. It is 5.4-m- (17.7-ft-) in diameter and is available in the 15.5-m (51-ft) standard and 21.3-m (70-ft) long configurations. The fairing separates using a debris-free horizontal and vertical separation system.  In addition to the fairings, other composite structures including the heat shields, payload attach fittings and the interstage adapters would also be made by ULA as part of this agreement.  “This agreement marks an important step that supports the long-term success of the Decatur site and its employees. The operation has developed exceptional capabilities over the years and plays a critical role in supporting launch activities in the United States. We are pleased to have found a solution that provides continuity, preserves valuable expertise and creates a strong future perspective for the site and its workforce. We thank ULA for their long-term partnership and trust,” said Barbara Frei-Spreiter, CEO Beyond Gravity. Since 2017, Beyond Gravity has leased 400,000 square feet of space inside ULA’s factory in Decatur, Ala. In addition, more than 300 Alabama-based Beyond Gravity employees will be offered employment and have the opportunity to join the ULA team once the agreement closes. The first ULA produced fairing is scheduled to fly on a mission in 2027.   “For more than two decades, ULA has partnered with Beyond Gravity as a supplier of critical fairings and composites for our launch vehicles,” said Peller. “We thank them for their partnership as we move in this new direction.”  ULA is redefining what’s possible in space by providing innovative rocketry solutions for national security, NASA and commercial space launches. Our rockets fly directly to the most challenging and distant orbits the nation requires, while delivering the most accurate payload insertions in the world and limitless orbital flexibility. - [![Apple App Store Badge](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/App_Store_Badge.svg)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ula-anywhere-ar/id1454852470) - [![Google Play Store Badge](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/google-play-badge.svg)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ula.anywherear&hl=en) - - - - - - Copyright 2026 United Launch Alliance, LLC. 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