Vulcan – Spaceflight Now

U.S. Space Force switches rockets for upcoming GPS satellite launch

January 13, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The change will allow the U.S. Space Force to expedite the process of building out its GPS constellation in medium Earth orbit. The launch date for the next satellite, GPS III Space Vehicle 09, could be within weeks.

Former ULA president and CEO Tory Bruno joins Blue Origin

December 26, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

Bruno’s resignation from United Launch Alliance was announced just four days ago on Dec. 22. He led that company for nearly 12 years.

Tory Bruno steps down as President, CEO of ULA

December 22, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The announcement was made by Robert Lightfoot, the ULA Lockheed Martin Board Chair, in a statement on Monday. The board now begins a search for his permanent replacement.

SpaceX to launch 4 Falcon Heavy rockets as part of newest U.S. national security missions award

October 4, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command announced that SpaceX and ULA would launch five and two missions respectively as part of the latest round of National Security Space Launch contract assignments.

ULA launches Vulcan rocket on first Space Force mission

August 13, 2025 William Harwood

Equipped with four solid-fuel strap-on boosters for additional takeoff power, the 198-foot-tall Vulcan’s two methane-fueled BE-4 engines thundered to life at 8:56p.m. EDT, instantly propelling the rocket away from pad 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Launch preview: ULA to launch first national security mission on a Vulcan rocket

August 12, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission, dubbed USSF-106, will be the first Vulcan rocket launch since the vehicle was certified by the United States Space Force in late March. Liftoff from pad 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is schedule for 7:59 p.m. EDT (2359 UTC).

ULA’s Tory Bruno lays out plans for ramping up launch cadence

August 7, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

United Launch Alliance will launch the USSF-106 mission as its first flight for the U.S. Space Force using a Vulcan rocket. The vehicle will carry two satellite missions onboard.

Amazon says $139.5 million investment in Florida is key to ramping up launch cadence with Project Kuiper

July 24, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The tech giant launched three batches of its satellites on two different rockets in less than three months. It said the next slate of Kuiper satellites is prepared to launch now, but didn’t state when that’s expected to happen.

ULA begins stacking its 1st Vulcan rocket supporting a national security mission

July 3, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

This is the second time the rocket is being prepared for launch following a months long delay in certifying the launch vehicle. ULA hasn’t announced a specific launch date, but it’s expected sometime this summer.

SpaceX to launch second accelerated GPS 3 satellite mission in late May

April 8, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

This mission follows a similar model of processing used during the Rapid Response Trailblazer (RRT-1) mission, which saw the launch of the GPS 3 Space Vehicle 07 (SV-07) spacecraft on a Falcon 9 instead of a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket as originally planned.