List of Vulcan launches

This is a list of launches made by the Vulcan Centaur rocket since its maiden launch on January 8, 2024.

Notable missions

Peregrine Mission One

Main article: 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, 07:18 UTC.[1] 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.[2]

Launch statistics

Launch outcomes
3
6
9
12
15
  •   Failure
  •   Partial failure
  •   Success
  •   Planned
Launch sites
1
2
2024
2025
2026
2027
Rocket configurations
1
2
2024
2025
2026
2027
  •   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[3]
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.[4]
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.[5][6] 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 anomaly led to reduced, asymmetrical thrust. This caused the rocket to slightly tilt before the guidance system and main engines successfully corrected and extended their burn by roughly 20 seconds to compensate. Despite the anomaly, the rocket achieved nominal orbital insertion,[7][8] with the Space Force praising the launch and "the robustness of the total Vulcan system".[9] The nozzle anomaly was attributed to a manufacturing defect in a 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.

Future launches

Future launches are listed chronologically when firm plans are in place. The order of the later launches is much less certain.[15] Launches are expected to take place "no earlier than" (NET) the listed date. As of August 2025 ULA are "aiming for about two launches per month across its Atlas and Vulcan fleets in 2025 and 2026", but a total of nine launches in 2025.[16] As of November 2025, however, no additional Vulcan flights were expected in 2025.[17]

2026

Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
configuration 		Launch site Payload Orbit Customer
2026 Vulcan Centaur VC2S[18] Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 GPS III SV09[19] MEO U.S. Space Force
First GPS mission for Vulcan Centaur. NSSL contract for FY2024.
2026 Vulcan Centaur VC4S Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 USSF-87 (GSSAP 7 & 8) GSO U.S. Space Force
USSF-87 mission.[20] It will launch two identical Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness satellites, GSSAP-7 and 8, directly to a geosynchronous orbit.[21]
2026[22] Vulcan Centaur VC6L[13] Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 LeoSat × 45 (LV-01) 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.
March 2026[23] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[24] USSF-57 (NG-OPIR-GEO 1) GEO U.S. Space Force
Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared satellite.
Q1 2026[25] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 USSF-43 (LDPE-4 & TBA) TBA U.S. Space Force
Classified payload.
Q1 2026[26][27][28] 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.
Q1 2026[22] Vulcan Centaur VC6L[13] Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 LeoSat × 45 (LV-02) LEO Amazon (Amazon Leo)
Second of 38 Vulcan Centaur launches for Amazon Leo.
Q2 2026[22] Vulcan Centaur VC6L[13] Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 LeoSat × 45 (LV-03) LEO Amazon (Amazon Leo)
Third of 38 Vulcan Centaur launches for Amazon Leo.
H1 2026[29] Vulcan Centaur VC2S Vandenberg, SLC‑3E SDA T1TR-B LEO SDA
Tranche 1 Tracking Layer B missile tracking satellites.
H1 2026[29] Vulcan Centaur VC2S Vandenberg, SLC‑3E SDA T1TR-D LEO SDA
Tranche 1 Tracking Layer D missile tracking satellites.
September 2026[23] Vulcan Centaur Vandenberg, SLC‑3E SDA T2TL-B LEO SDA
Tranche 2 Transport Layer B missile tracking satellites.
Q4 2026[30] 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[26] Vulcan Centaur VC4S Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 USSF-112 TBA U.S. Space Force
Classified payload.
2026[25] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 USSF-23 TBA U.S. Space Force
Classified payload.
2026[25] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 USSF-16 TBA U.S. Space Force
Classified payload.
2026[29] Vulcan Centaur Vandenberg, SLC‑3E USSF-114 TBA U.S. Space Force
Classified payload.
2026[29] Vulcan Centaur VC4 Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 NROL-64 TBA NRO
First NRO launch on Vulcan
2026[29] Vulcan Centaur Vandenberg, SLC‑3E NROL-83 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload. First announced Vulcan Centaur launch from Vandenberg.
2026[23] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[24] Silentbarker 2A, 2B, 2C (NROL-118) GEO U.S. Space Force (NRO)
Classified USSF & NRO partnered program.
2026[23] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[24] NROL-56 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload.
2026[23] Vulcan Centaur Vandenberg, SLC‑3E[24] NROL-73 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload.
2026[23] Vulcan Centaur Vandenberg, SLC‑3E[24] NROL-100 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload.
2026[23] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[24] NROL-109 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload.
2026[23] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[24] STP-5 LEO U.S. Space Force
Two satellites for Department of Defense Strategic Capabilities Office[31]
2026[23] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[24] Missile Track Custody 1 (USSF-95) MEO U.S. Space Force
First launch of Missile Track Custody satellites.
2026[7] Vulcan Centaur VC2S[18] Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 GPS III SV10[19] MEO U.S. Space Force

2027

Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
configuration 		Launch site Payload Orbit Customer
2027 Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 GPS IIIF-1[19] MEO U.S. Space Force
First GPS Block IIIF navigation satellite.
2027[32] 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 GPS IIIF-2[19] MEO U.S. Space Force
Also designated USSF-49 under NSSL
2027 Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 NROL-88[33] TBA NRO
Classified NRO Mission.

2028

Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
configuration 		Launch site Payload Orbit Customer
2028 Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 GPS IIIF-4[34] MEO U.S. Space Force
Also designated USSF-88 under NSSL.

TBD

Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
configuration 		Launch site Payload Orbit Customer
TBD[35] Vulcan Centaur VC4L[13] Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 SSC CRS-1 to CRS-5 LEO (ISS) NASA (CRS)
5 Dream Chaser launches on contract.
TBD[22] Vulcan Centaur VC6L[13] Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 LeoSat × 45 (LV-04 to LV-38) LEO Amazon (Amazon Leo)
38 Vulcan Centaur launches for Amazon Leo.

See also

References

  1. ^ Bruno, Tory (December 10, 2023). "#VulcanRocket WDR update". X. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ McCrea, Aaron (January 8, 2024). "Vulcan successfully launches Peregrine lunar lander on inaugural flight". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Vulcan Cert-2". United Launch Alliance. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Clark, Stephen (October 4, 2024). "ULA's second Vulcan rocket lost part of its booster and kept going". Ars Technica. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  8. ^ Foust, Jeff (October 4, 2024). "Vulcan competes second flight despite SRB anomaly". SpaceNews. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  9. ^ Clark, Stephen (October 22, 2024). "Space Force is "assessing" impacts to Vulcan schedule". Ars Technica. Retrieved October 23, 2024. It was a successful Cert flight, and now we're knee deep in finalizing certification
  10. ^ Foust, Jeff (March 12, 2025). "Manufacturing defect blamed for Vulcan solid rocket motor anomaly". SpaceNews. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  11. ^ Erwin, Sandra (April 9, 2022). "Air Force space experiment will seek to demonstrate multi-orbit satellite navigation". SpaceNews. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  12. ^ @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 Twitter.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Krebs, Gunter (December 19, 2023). "Vulcan". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  14. ^ Erwin, Sandra (February 27, 2023). "Air Force navigation satellite to launch on Vulcan's first national security mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  15. ^ Baylor, Michael. "Upcoming Launches: Vulcan". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  16. ^ ULA CEO Tory Bruno Outlines plans for Vulcan and beyond
  17. ^ "ULA aimed to launch up to 10 Vulcan rockets this year—it will fly just once".
  18. ^ a b @torybruno (May 16, 2024). "Likely a 2 solid. When the Gov wants to go" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ a b c d "Space Systems Command declares three GPS III space vehicles "Available for Launch"". www.ssc.spaceforce.mil. August 24, 2021.
  20. ^ "FY21 NSS Missions". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  21. ^ @GewoonLukas_ (June 24, 2024). "The second one will be the USSF-87 mission, which will likely carry the 7th GSSAP satellite directly to Geosynchronous orbit. It currently looks like Vulcan will be flying in the VC2 configuration for this mission, although a VC4 has been previously reported" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  22. ^ a b c d "Amazon Signs Contract with United Launch Alliance for 38 Project Kuiper Launches on Vulcan Centaur". ULA. April 5, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i Erwin, Sandra (October 31, 2023). "Space Force assigns 21 national security missions to ULA and SpaceX". SpaceNews. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h @thesheetztweetz (November 1, 2023). "And, for those curious, here's the rundown of the 21 mission assignments:" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. ^ a b c Erwin, Sandra (May 30, 2022). "Space Force identifies national security launches funded in 2022 and 2023". SpaceNews. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Rocket Launch Manifest". Next Spaceflight. June 14, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  27. ^ Erwin, Sandra (April 13, 2023). "Boeing unveils WGS-11 design with new military payload". SpaceNews. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  28. ^ Erwin, Sandra (April 9, 2024). "Northrop Grumman developing military communications satellite for 2025 launch". SpaceNews. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  29. ^ a b c d e Erwin, Sandra (June 8, 2023). "Space Force assigns 12 national security missions to SpaceX and ULA". SpaceNews. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  30. ^ Berger, Eric (September 25, 2025). "Sierra's Dream Chaser is starting to resemble a nightmare". Ars Technica.
  31. ^ "Space Systems Command announces 21 mission assignments for National Security Space Launch Phase 2 Procurement" (PDF). October 31, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  32. ^ "USSF-50 (NGG-2) | Vulcan Centaur | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  33. ^ Hitchens, Theresa (October 3, 2025). "Space Force taps SpaceX, ULA for first set of critical launches beyond FY27". Breaking Defense. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  34. ^ Hitchens, Theresa (October 3, 2025). "Space Force taps SpaceX, ULA for first set of critical launches beyond FY27". Breaking Defense. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  35. ^ Foust, Jeff (April 29, 2022). "First Dream Chaser vehicle takes shape". SpaceNews. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.