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4w ago

U.S. Space Force Certifies ULA’s Vulcan Centaur Rocket for National Security Missions

The long-delayed certification marks a critical milestone, enabling Vulcan Centaur to join SpaceX in supporting national security space launches.

ULA Vulcan rocket lifting off during the Cert-2 flight test
A United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket launches on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41 on the Certification-2 mission. (Courtesy/ULA)
Image
Cert-2 launch

Overview

  • The U.S. Space Force certified United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket on March 26, 2025, after rigorous reviews and two demonstration flights.
  • Certification was delayed by major setbacks, including a 2023 engine explosion and a nozzle failure during the second test flight in October 2024.
  • The Vulcan Centaur rocket is now eligible to conduct missions under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program, enhancing U.S. launch capacity and flexibility.
  • ULA plans its first national security launch with Vulcan Centaur for summer 2025 and is targeting a launch cadence of two missions per month by the end of the year.
  • The certification allows ULA to compete for future NSSL Phase 3 contracts, where it faces competition from SpaceX and potentially Blue Origin.