List of Vulcan launches
This is a list of launches made by the Vulcan Centaur rocket since its maiden launch on January 8, 2024. All future launches are on hold pending an investigation.[1]
Notable missions
Peregrine Mission One
Peregrine Mission One was a lunar lander built by Astrobotic Technology, selected as a part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. It was launched on the maiden flight of Vulcan Centaur on January 8, 2024, at 07:18 UTC.[2] The Vulcan Centaur successfully placed Peregrine into trans-lunar injection, however, following a fuel leak with the spacecraft unrelated to the Vulcan Centaur, the lander failed in its attempt to land on the Moon.[3]
Launch statistics
- Launch sites
1
2
2024
2025
2026
- Rocket configurations
1
2
2024
2025
2026
- VC0
- VC2
- VC4
- VC6
Launch history
2024
| Flight No. | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, configuration |
Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 8, 2024 07:18 |
Vulcan Centaur VC2S | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | Peregrine lander | 1,283 kg (2,829 lb) | TLI | Astrobotic Technology | Success[4] |
| Enterprise (space burial) | Heliocentric | Celestis | ||||||
| Maiden flight of Vulcan Centaur and Vulcan Centaur VC2S Configuration. Certification-1 mission, the first of two launches needed to certify the rocket for National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions. Payload from Celestis, demonstrated engine restart capability of the Centaur upper stage delivering multiple payloads to different orbits. The Peregrine payload failed in transit to the Moon, precluding a landing attempt, due to reasons unrelated to the launch vehicle.[5] | ||||||||
| 2 | October 4, 2024 11:25 |
Vulcan Centaur VC2S | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | Mass simulator | 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) | Heliocentric | United Launch Alliance | Success |
| Certification-2 mission, the second of two launches needed to certify the rocket for NSSL missions. Originally scheduled to carry the first flight of Dream Chaser; however, due to schedule delays with Dream Chaser, ULA flew a mass simulator with experiments and demonstrations of future Centaur V technologies.[6][7] Approximately 37 seconds into the launch, the nozzle on one of solid rocket boosters (SRB) fell off resulting in a shower of debris in the exhaust plume. Although the SRB continued to function for its full 90-second burn, the loss of the nozzle led to reduced and asymmetrical thrust causing the rocket to momentarily tilt slightly. The guidance system adjusted the main engines and extended their burn by roughly 20 seconds to compensate for the loss with the rocket achieving nominal orbital insertion.[8][9] The nozzle failure was attributed to a manufacturing defect in an insulator located inside the nozzle.[10] | ||||||||
2025
| Flight No. | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, configuration |
Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | August 13, 2025 00:56 |
Vulcan Centaur VC4S | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | USSF-106 (NTS-3 & TBA) | ~1,250 kg (2,760 lb) | GSO | U.S. Space Force | Success |
| USSF-106 mission.[11] Maiden flight of Vulcan Centaur VC4S Configuration.[12][13] First NSSL mission for Vulcan Centaur.[14] Carried Navigation Technology Satellite 3 (NTS-3), an experimental spacecraft to test technologies for next-generation GPS satellites. | ||||||||
2026
| Flight No. | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, configuration |
Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | February 12, 2026 09:22 |
Vulcan Centaur VC4S[15] | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | USSF-87 | Unknown | GSO | U.S. Space Force | Success |
| Primary GSSAP 7 & 8 with multiple secondary payloads aboard Northrop Grumman’s ESPAStar platform.[16] Once again one GEM 63XL SRB malfunctioned with the rocket core stage compensating and allowing the rocket to achieve a nominal orbital insertion.[17] This second SRB malfunction has led to the US Space Force pausing NSSL launches on Vulcan until issues with its SRBs are resolved, potentially necessitating switching missions to other rockets.[18][19]
This was the first launch to use the ULA's Offline Vertical Integration (OVI) process and was ULA’s longest mission to date, lasting nearly 10 hours from liftoff to end of mission.[20] | ||||||||
Future launches
Future launches are listed chronologically when firm plans are in place. The order of the later launches is much less certain.[21] Launches are expected to take place "no earlier than" (NET) the listed date.
2026
| Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, configuration |
Launch site | Payload | Orbit | Customer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026[22][23][24][25] | Vulcan Centaur VC6L[13] | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | LeoSat × 40 (LV-01)[26] | LEO | Amazon (Amazon Leo) |
| First of 38 Vulcan Centaur launches for Amazon Leo, formerly Project Kuiper. First planned launch of Vulcan's most powerful configuration, VC6. First planned launch to use the shortened LEO-optimized Centaur V.[27] First Vulcan to be integrated in VIF-A.[28] | |||||
| 2026[29] | Vulcan Centaur VC6L[13] | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | LeoSat × 40 (LV-02) | LEO | Amazon (Amazon Leo) |
| Second of 38 Vulcan Centaur launches for Amazon Leo, formerly Project Kuiper. | |||||
| 2026[30] | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[31] | USSF-57 (NG-OPIR-GEO 1) | GEO | U.S. Space Force |
| Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared satellite. | |||||
| 2026[32][33] | Vulcan Centaur VC2S | Vandenberg, SLC‑3E | SDA T1TR-B | LEO | SDA |
| Tranche 1 Tracking Layer B missile tracking satellites. First Vulcan launch from Vandenberg. | |||||
| 2026[34] | Vulcan Centaur VC4 | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | NROL-64 | TBA | NRO |
| First NRO launch on Vulcan.[32] Possibly SunRISE 1-6 as secondary. | |||||
| 2026[32] | Vulcan Centaur VC2S | Vandenberg, SLC‑3E | SDA T1TR-D | LEO | SDA |
| Tranche 1 Tracking Layer D missile tracking satellites. | |||||
| 2026[30] | Vulcan Centaur | Vandenberg, SLC‑3E | SDA T2TL-B | LEO | SDA |
| Tranche 2 Transport Layer B missile tracking satellites. | |||||
| 2026[35] | Vulcan Centaur VC4L[13] | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | SSC Demo-1 (Dream Chaser Tenacity) | LEO (ISS) | NASA (CRS) |
| First flight of Dream Chaser. Maiden flight of the Vulcan Centaur VC4L configuration. | |||||
| 2026[36] | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | USSF-43 (LDPE-4 & TBA) | TBA | U.S. Space Force |
| Rapid On-orbit Space Technology Evaluation Ring (ROOSTER)-4[37] | |||||
| 2026[38][39][40] | Vulcan Centaur VC2L | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | WGS-11 (PTS-P1) | GEO | U.S. Space Force |
| Military communications satellite. Maiden flight of the Vulcan Centaur VC2L configuration. Protected Tactical Satcom prototype payload. The PTS payload will fly on dedicated Northrop Grumman built ESPAStar-HP satellite bus. | |||||
| 2026[38] | Vulcan Centaur VC4S | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | USSF-112 | TBA | U.S. Space Force |
| Classified payload. | |||||
| 2026[36] | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | USSF-23 | TBA | U.S. Space Force |
| Classified payload. | |||||
| 2026[36] | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | USSF-16 | TBA | U.S. Space Force |
| Classified payload. | |||||
| 2026[32] | Vulcan Centaur | Vandenberg, SLC‑3E | USSF-114 | TBA | U.S. Space Force |
| Classified payload. | |||||
| 2026[32] | Vulcan Centaur | Vandenberg, SLC‑3E | NROL-83 | TBA | NRO |
| Classified NRO payload. First announced Vulcan Centaur launch from Vandenberg. | |||||
| 2026[30] | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[31] | Silentbarker 2A, 2B, 2C (NROL-118) | GEO | U.S. Space Force (NRO) |
| Classified USSF & NRO partnered program. | |||||
| 2026[30] | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[31] | NROL-56 | TBA | NRO |
| Classified NRO payload. | |||||
| 2026[30] | Vulcan Centaur | Vandenberg, SLC‑3E[31] | NROL-73 | TBA | NRO |
| Classified NRO payload. | |||||
| 2026[30] | Vulcan Centaur | Vandenberg, SLC‑3E[31] | NROL-100 | TBA | NRO |
| Classified NRO payload. | |||||
| 2026[30] | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[31] | NROL-109 | TBA | NRO |
| Classified NRO payload. | |||||
| 2026[30] | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[31] | STP-5 | LEO | U.S. Space Force |
| Two satellites for Department of Defense Strategic Capabilities Office[41] | |||||
| 2026[30] | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[31] | Missile Track Custody 1 (USSF-95) | MEO | U.S. Space Force |
| First launch of Missile Track Custody satellites. | |||||
2027
| Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, configuration |
Launch site | Payload | Orbit | Customer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2027[42] | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | GPS IIIF-1[43] | MEO | U.S. Space Force |
| First GPS Block IIIF navigation satellite. | |||||
| Q2 2027[42] | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | GPS IIIF-2[43] | MEO | U.S. Space Force |
| Also designated USSF-49 under NSSL. | |||||
| 2027[44] | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | USSF-50 (NG-OPIR-GEO 2) | GEO | U.S. Space Force |
| Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared satellite. | |||||
| 2027 | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | NROL-88[45] | TBA | NRO |
| Classified NRO Mission. | |||||
2028
| Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, configuration |
Launch site | Payload | Orbit | Customer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2028[42] | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | GPS IIIF-3[43] | MEO | U.S. Space Force |
| Also designated USSF-15 under NSSL. | |||||
| Q3 2028[42] | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | GPS IIIF-4[46] | MEO | U.S. Space Force |
| Also designated USSF-88 under NSSL. | |||||
| Q3 2028 | Vulcan Centaur | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | USSF-70 [47] | U.S. Space Force | |
| Swapped with Falcon 9 due to GPS IIII SV10 switch under National Security Space Launch. | |||||
TBD
| Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, configuration |
Launch site | Payload | Orbit | Customer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBD[22] | Vulcan Centaur VC6L[13] | Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 | LeoSat × 45 (LV-03 to LV-38) | LEO | Amazon (Amazon Leo) |
| 38 Vulcan Centaur launches ordered for Amazon Leo. | |||||
See also
References
- ↑ Hitchens, Theresa (February 25, 2026). "Space Force pauses national security launches on Vulcan - Breaking Defense". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on July 16, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ Bruno, Tory (December 10, 2023). "#VulcanRocket WDR update". X. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ↑ "The first US Moon landing in more than 50 years has hit a major hurdle after a 'critical' fuel leak". ABC News (Australia). January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ↑ McCrea, Aaron (January 8, 2024). "Vulcan successfully launches Peregrine lunar lander on inaugural flight". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ↑ "The first US Moon landing in more than 50 years has hit a major hurdle after a 'critical' fuel leak". ABC News (Australia). January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ↑ Berger, Eric (July 22, 2024). "A mid-September test flight of Vulcan could permit a military launch this year". Ars Technica. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ↑ "Vulcan Cert-2". United Launch Alliance. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ↑ Clark, Stephen (October 4, 2024). "ULA's second Vulcan rocket lost part of its booster and kept going". Ars Technica. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ↑ Foust, Jeff (October 4, 2024). "Vulcan competes second flight despite SRB anomaly". SpaceNews. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ↑ Foust, Jeff (March 12, 2025). "Manufacturing defect blamed for Vulcan solid rocket motor anomaly". SpaceNews. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
- ↑ Erwin, Sandra (April 9, 2022). "Air Force space experiment will seek to demonstrate multi-orbit satellite navigation". SpaceNews. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
- ↑ @GewoonLukas_ (June 24, 2024). "The first one will be the USSF-106 mission. This launch will carry the NTS-3 satellite, along with another currently unidentified payload, directly to Geosynchronous orbit. It currently looks like Vulcan will be flying in the VC4 configuration for this mission" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
- 1 2 3 4 5 Krebs, Gunter (December 19, 2023). "Vulcan". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ↑ Erwin, Sandra (February 27, 2023). "Air Force navigation satellite to launch on Vulcan's first national security mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ↑ "Vulcan to launch USSF-87". United Launch Alliance. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
- ↑ Robinson-Smith, Will (February 11, 2026). "ULA to launch geosynchronous orbit surveillance satellite for the U.S. Space Force". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ↑ Erwin, Sandra (February 12, 2026). "ULA's Vulcan launches Space Force mission; solid booster anomaly under investigation". SpaceNews. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ↑ Dinner, Josh (February 26, 2026). "US Space Force pauses national security launches on ULA Vulcan rocket due to booster glitch". Space. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
- ↑ Erwin, Sandra (March 25, 2026). "Space Force weighs launch alternatives as Vulcan faces potential months-long grounding". SpaceNews.
- ↑ "USSF-87: Vulcan rocket to set new performance and endurance records". United Launch Alliance. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
- ↑ Baylor, Michael. "Upcoming Launches: Vulcan". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- 1 2 "Amazon Signs Contract with United Launch Alliance for 38 Project Kuiper Launches on Vulcan Centaur". ULA. April 5, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ↑ "SpaceX lines up 1st Space Coast launch of the year". January 3, 2026. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ↑ "ULA Preps For First Amazon Launch On Vulcan Amid SRB Probe". May 11, 2026.
- ↑ "Arianespace launches its heaviest payload to date with Amazon Leo flight – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Amazon Leo set to accelerate satellite production and launch cadence". Amazon News. March 23, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ ULA. "Vulcan: New Centaur V version readies for Amazon Leo". blog.ulalaunch.com. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
- ↑ United Launch Alliance [@ulalaunch] (May 14, 2026). "A new chapter begins. The first Vulcan booster is vertical in the new Vertical Integration Facility (VIF-A) dedicated to @Amazonleo. This milestone enables testing of first use technologies and validates systems supporting Amazon's LEO constellation" (Tweet). Retrieved May 15, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ↑ Amazon Leo [@AmazonLeo]. "Progress toward another inaugural heavy-lift launch, as @ulalaunch preps an all-new launch platform (VLP-A) and integration facility (VIF-A) dedicated to Leo missions on Vulcan. Payload for LV-01 is fully stacked ahead of launch, and processing is already underway for LV-02". Twitter. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Erwin, Sandra (October 31, 2023). "Space Force assigns 21 national security missions to ULA and SpaceX". SpaceNews. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 @thesheetztweetz (November 1, 2023). "And, for those curious, here's the rundown of the 21 mission assignments" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
- 1 2 3 4 5 Erwin, Sandra (June 8, 2023). "Space Force assigns 12 national security missions to SpaceX and ULA". SpaceNews. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ↑ Robinson-Smith, Will. "ULA offloads first Vulcan rocket at Vandenberg at it preps its next Cape launch – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "ULA sets sights on ramping up launch cadence in 2026 – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved February 11, 2026.
- ↑ Berger, Eric (September 25, 2025). "Sierra's Dream Chaser is starting to resemble a nightmare". Ars Technica.
- 1 2 3 Erwin, Sandra (May 30, 2022). "Space Force identifies national security launches funded in 2022 and 2023". SpaceNews. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ↑ Erwin, Sandra (July 9, 2022). "Northrop Grumman gets $22 million Space Force contract to build small-satellite carrier bus". SpaceNews.
- 1 2 "Rocket Launch Manifest". Next Spaceflight. June 14, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ↑ Erwin, Sandra (April 13, 2023). "Boeing unveils WGS-11 design with new military payload". SpaceNews. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ↑ Erwin, Sandra (April 9, 2024). "Northrop Grumman developing military communications satellite for 2025 launch". SpaceNews. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ↑ "Space Systems Command announces 21 mission assignments for National Security Space Launch Phase 2 Procurement" (PDF). October 31, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 "Department of Defense Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget Estimates" (PDF). USAF. June 2025. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Space Systems Command declares three GPS III space vehicles "Available for Launch"". www.ssc.spaceforce.mil. August 24, 2021.
- ↑ "USSF-50 (NGG-2) | Vulcan Centaur | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
- ↑ Hitchens, Theresa (October 3, 2025). "Space Force taps SpaceX, ULA for first set of critical launches beyond FY27". Breaking Defense. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
- ↑ Hitchens, Theresa (October 3, 2025). "Space Force taps SpaceX, ULA for first set of critical launches beyond FY27". Breaking Defense. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
- ↑ "USSF prioritizes GPS III capability delivery timeline, executes launch provider exchange for NSSL mission". Space Systems Command. Archived from the original on May 14, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
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