Space Force pausing ULA Vulcan launches
Posted: Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 11:49 AM ET (1649 GMT)
The Space Force is pausing use of United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket after an anomaly on a launch earlier this month. The service said Wednesday that it will not fly national security missions on Vulcan while an investigation continues into the USSF-87 launch Feb. 12, when ULA reported an "observation" with one of the rocket's strap-on boosters. The incident was similar to one on Vulcan's second flight in October 2024, when a nozzle on one of the solid boosters came off in flight. A halt in national security launches is a setback for ULA as it seeks to increase Vulcan's flight rate and establish a steady operational tempo. The company recently projected 18 to 22 launches this year.
The Space Force is pausing use of United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket after an anomaly on a launch earlier this month. The service said Wednesday that it will not fly national security missions on Vulcan while an investigation continues into the USSF-87 launch Feb. 12, when ULA reported an "observation" with one of the rocket's strap-on boosters. The incident was similar to one on Vulcan's second flight in October 2024, when a nozzle on one of the solid boosters came off in flight. A halt in national security launches is a setback for ULA as it seeks to increase Vulcan's flight rate and establish a steady operational tempo. The company recently projected 18 to 22 launches this year.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, October 14
CSG Sets Sights on Space With Around $434 Million Stake in Canada’s MDA Space
Wall Street Journal — 6:30 am ET (1030 GMT) Czech defence company CSG buys 9.5% stake in MDA Space
Canadian Press — 6:29 am ET (1029 GMT) Europe’s CSG Becomes Largest Shareholder of MDA Space
ViaSatellite — 6:29 am ET (1029 GMT) Czech CSG Acquires 9.5% Stake In Canadarm Developer MDA
Aviation Week — 6:29 am ET (1029 GMT) Student-built SCAMPI experiment launches to the International Space Station
ESA — 6:28 am ET (1028 GMT) |
