All articles tagged with #ula
The U.S. Space Force has paused all national-security launches on ULA’s Vulcan Centaur after booster anomalies recurred on the latest mission (USSF-87) and a previous flight, leading to a multi‑month investigation and corrective actions before flights resume.
The Space Force has paused further launches on ULA’s Vulcan rocket while investigators probe a February 2026 booster anomaly—the second such issue after a 2024 carbon‑composite insulator defect—pushing GPS satellite launches toward SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The investigation is expected to last months as officials seek root cause and corrective actions. Meanwhile, GPS modernization continues: 26 of 31 satellites carry the M-code signal and 19 broadcast the higher‑power L5 civil signal, underscoring the value of having multiple launch providers to maintain global coverage amid rising interference and jamming threats.
Space Force has halted Vulcan rocket launches after an anomaly with a solid-rocket booster was observed on the USSF-87 mission. Investigators will work with ULA and Northrop Grumman to determine corrective actions before resuming Vulcan flights, with no set resumption date and potential fallback options such as SpaceX if Vulcan remains grounded. GPS III SV-10 remains on the national security launch manifest for no later than next month as ULA addresses the booster issue while pursuing its cadence goals.
ULA offloaded the first Vulcan booster at Vandenberg, marking the West Coast debut for Vulcan launches after the RocketShip barge delivered flight hardware from Alabama and Florida. The USSF-87 mission to GEO with GSSAP and ESPA payloads is targeting no earlier than Feb. 12, with Cape Canaveral readiness continuing for a separate launch from SLC-41.
The U.S. Space Force is swapping launch vehicles for GPS III Space Vehicle 09 and GPS IIIF Space Vehicle 13: SV09 will launch on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 instead of ULA’s Vulcan, while SV13 moves to Vulcan (from Falcon Heavy). The trade aims to deliver capabilities faster and reduce costs, continuing a pattern of provider swaps to keep GPS deployments on schedule.
Tory Bruno, former ULA CEO, has joined Blue Origin as president of its newly formed National Security Group, bringing extensive experience in space launch and defense systems to help Blue Origin compete for national security satellite launches and expand its role in space defense.
ULA CEO Tory Bruno resigned, Alabama receives $4.9 million from Mercedes-Benz diesel settlement, and a Brewton mother is accused of sending candy with marijuana residue to her child's kindergarten class, with police investigating the incident.
Tory Bruno resigned as President and CEO of United Launch Alliance after nearly 12 years, during which he led the company through significant milestones including the Vulcan rocket's debut; John Elbon has been appointed interim CEO as ULA searches for a permanent replacement.
The ULA Atlas 5 rocket's launch of the ViaSat-3 F2 satellite was scrubbed due to a valve issue, delaying the deployment of a high-capacity broadband satellite intended to enhance Viasat's network capabilities over the Americas, with a new launch window scheduled for the following day.
The U.S. Space Force has awarded contracts to SpaceX and ULA for seven critical space missions to enhance national security, including deploying military communication satellites and upgrading GPS capabilities, with future launches planned through 2030 to maintain space dominance.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is increasing its focus on reusability by working on recovering the engine section of its Vulcan rocket and pursuing new projects, as part of its efforts to enhance space launch capabilities for national security missions.
United Launch Alliance successfully launched its first Vulcan Centaur rocket for the Space Force, marking a significant milestone in replacing Russian-made engines and supporting national security missions, with the payload including a potentially GPS-replacing satellite and a classified satellite, and setting the stage for future launches.
United Launch Alliance successfully launched its first operational Vulcan rocket on a Space Force mission, marking a milestone as the first national security launch with this new launcher, which will replace older ULA rockets and support high-orbit military payloads, including classified satellites and advanced navigation technology.
United Launch Alliance successfully launched its first operational Vulcan rocket on a Space Force-sanctioned mission, deploying military satellites including a classified payload and an experimental navigation satellite, marking a significant milestone in ULA's transition to an all-Vulcan fleet and the replacement of older rockets.
ULA is set to launch its first national security payload on the Vulcan rocket, marking its return to launching for the US Space Force after certification delays, with a mission to deploy two satellites including the innovative NTS-3 navigation satellite to enhance GPS capabilities.