Debrief: First Vulcan Launch Announced In New Era For ULA

Caption: A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket carrying the USSF-106 mission for the United State Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 on Aug. 12 at 8:56 p.m. EDT, marking the first National Security Launch aboard a Vulcan rocket. Photo by United Launch Alliance

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket carrying the USSF-106 mission for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 last year on Aug. 12 at 8:56 p.m. EDT, marking the first National Security Launch aboard a Vulcan rocket.

Credit: United Launch Alliance
One week into 2026, United Launch Alliance (ULA) is preparing for its first mission of the year amid a leadership shuffle that took space industry observers by surprise. ULA is targeting Feb. 2 to launch USSF-87 for the U.S. Space Force on a Vulcan rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape...
Vivienne Machi

Vivienne Machi is the military space editor for Aviation Week based in Los Angeles.

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