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Vulcan Centaur Set for First National Security Launch with Experimental NTS-3

Testing resilient positioning and timing technologies in geosynchronous orbit, the launch also showcases U.S. engine independence after years of development delays.

ULA
Image
Pictured is a United Launch Alliance (ULA) photo of the Vulcan rocket rolling from the Government Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla. For the East Coast, ULA CEO Tory Bruno says that ULA is adding a second Vertical Integration Facility and a second Vulcan mobile launch platform.
The addition of the Vulcan rocket as a certified launch system bolters the USSF’s space access portfolio. Credit: United Launch Alliance, LLC.

Overview

  • The Vulcan Centaur is slated to launch the USSF-106 mission at 7:59 p.m. EDT on August 12 from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 41.
  • ULA certified Vulcan under the National Security Space Launch program in March 2025 and performed mission-specific testing to resolve a solid-rocket-booster anomaly before tonight’s flight.
  • The AFRL-developed Navigation Technology Satellite-3 will conduct over 100 experiments in anti-jamming, anti-spoofing, steerable-antenna and reprogrammable payload technologies.
  • This mission marks the end of U.S. reliance on Russian RD-180 engines and begins to clear a backlog of 25 ordered Vulcan national security launches.
  • Vulcan’s operational debut provides the Department of Defense with an alternative to SpaceX and sets the stage for future resilient PNT architectures in partnership with the Space Development Agency and Resilient GPS smallsat programs.