United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Next Generation Launch System (NGLS)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulalaunch/albums/72177720331204446/Launch Vehicle On Stand (LVOS) at VIF-G is December 31.
Launch Vehicle on Stand: Vulcan USSF-87
United Launch Alliance (ULA) hoists its Vulcan booster into the Government Vertical Integration Facility (VIF-G) adjacent to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The rocket will carry the USSF-87 mission for the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC). Photo credit: United Launch Alliance
Click to expand...
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/2010713423055593720
View: https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/2010713423055593720


ULA
@ulalaunch
·
The USSF-87 launch campaign underway at Cape Canaveral is the first Vulcan to use the more-efficient Offsite Vertical Integration (OVI) process to pre-assemble the interstage with Centaur V. This procedure, which originated on the Atlas V program to reduce the number of days spent processing a rocket, will streamline Vulcan operations and help quicken the pace to prepare the next-generation rocket for flight.
Click to expand...
The USSF-87 launch campaign underway at Cape Canaveral is the first Vulcan to use the more-efficient Offsite Vertical Integration (OVI) process to pre-assemble the interstage with Centaur V. This procedure, which originated on the Atlas V program to reduce the number of days spent processing a rocket, will streamline Vulcan operations and help quicken the pace to prepare the next-generation rocket for flight.

Follow mission progress: http://bit.ly/vulcan_ussf87
Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCFgay
Click to expand...
https://twitter.com/x/status/2010713423055593720
View: https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/2010713423055593720

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008901868844642771
View: https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/2008901868844642771?s=20

The launch of a ULA Vulcan rocket carrying the U.S. Space Force (USSF)-87 mission for the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) is targeting Monday, Feb. 2, from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, pending range approval.
Click to expand...
 
The second SILENTBARKER mission is launching under the NROL-118 designation. Launching NET Q2 2026 from CCSFS SLC-41 to GEO on a Vulcan.

The Space Force FY26 RDT&E Presidential Budget Request puts this mission as Available for Launch (AFL) in Q3FY26 (April-June 2026).

In the budget, this mission is referred to as SILENTBARKER Expansion.

The SILENTBARKER program is developing and delivering a space-based SDA system to provide space object surveillance through a phased acquisition approach starting with SILENTBARKER Baseline. The baseline program will be followed by SILENTBARKER Expansion and then SILENTBARKER-B in accordance with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) approved acquisition strategy.
Click to expand...
[Sheet 399]

FY25 Plans:
SILENTBARKER Expansion: Continue development toward Full Operational Capability (FOC) for Geosynchronous (GEO)-based SDA. This includes mission data processing, dissemination, and prototyping efforts supporting SILENTBARKER and other SDA initiatives.
Click to expand...
[Sheet 411]

FY26 Plans:
SILENTBARKER Expansion: Continue launch preparations, integration, and development activities for the SILENTBARKER Expansion increment, as well as development for the follow-on SILENTBARKER-B increment to enhance GEO-based SDA capabilities. Support ongoing mission data processing and dissemination efforts across SILENTBARKER and other SDA prototypes.
Click to expand...
[Sheet 412]
 
ULA has released a video concerning the USSF-87 launch:


A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket will deliver national security spacecraft directly to geosynchronous orbit for the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command on the USSF-87 mission. Liftoff will occur from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday, Feb. 2. The window opens at 3:30 a.m.​
Click to expand...
EST. GO Vulcan! GO Centaur! GO USSF-87!
Click to expand...
 
Looks like Vulcan had another SRB nozzle issue.

NSF - NASASpaceflight.com
@NASASpaceflight
Again, ULA has said nothing about any "observation," and the launch is continuing. However, it looks like Vulcan had another SRB nozzle issue.

Potential burn through seconds into launch and then likely blew off halfway into first stage. SRBs do cough chunks, even back to the Shuttle, but seemed far more than normal, in tandem with the initial view.
Click to expand...

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021881905264628049
View: https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/2021881905264628049
 
I think that the GEM63XLs may've been "Chuffing".

Edit: I just watched the clip and yes it was a burn through, did the payload successfully reach its' orbit?
 
NMaude said:
I think that the GEM63XLs may've been "Chuffing".

Edit: I just watched the clip and yes it was a burn through, did the payload successfully reach its' orbit?
Click to expand...
ULA responds to NSF of the anomaly

Jay Keegan
@_jaykeegan_
·
1m
ULA in response to
@NASASpaceflight
:
"We had an observation early during flight on one of the four solid rocket motors, the team is currently reviewing the data. The booster, upper stage, and spacecraft continued to perform on a nominal trajectory."
Click to expand...

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021894141941362771
View: https://twitter.com/_jaykeegan_/status/2021894141941362771
 
SFN: Vulcan suffers solid rocket booster problem during USSF-87 launch [Feb 12]

Shortly after, as the rocket performed its pitch over maneuver, the vehicle began to roll in a more pronounced way than is typical for this stage of flight. The Vulcan rocket appeared to counteract the anomaly and the SRBs jettisoned as planned at T+ 1 minute, 37 seconds into the flight.

[...]

“We’ve had a couple of anomalies that we’ve worked through. You all are aware of those. Those are behind us now and so the Vulcan rocket is ready to go,” said John Elbon, the interim CEO of ULA, during a virtual media roundtable on Tuesday.
Click to expand...
 
Impressive flight software and from the BE-4s to avoid failure from SRBs yet again causing big issues.

ULA Vulcan Rocket Successfully Launches the Future of Defense
February 12, 2026
USSF-87 mission precisely delivered directly to challenging geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO)

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket carrying the USSF-87 mission for the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) lifted off on Feb. 12 at 4:22 a.m. EST from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

"Early during flight, the team observed a significant performance anomaly on one of the four solid rocket motors. Despite the observation, the Vulcan booster and Centaur performed nominally and delivered the spacecraft directly to geosynchronous orbit,’ said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Atlas and Vulcan Programs. “The integrated U.S. government and contractor team is reviewing the technical data, available imagery, and establishing a recovery team to collect any debris. We will conduct a thorough investigation, identify root cause, and implement any corrective action necessary before the next Vulcan mission.”

[...]
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Josh_TN said:
the GEM series is very well established, yes?
Click to expand...

Yes, they made a shitload GEM40 SRBs for example so I assume that this latest malfunction might be due to perhaps a quality-control problem in the production line/supply chain.
 
Last edited:
USSF Press Release:

U. S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command and United Launch Alliance successfully launch USSF-87 mission aboard a Vulcan Rocket
Feb. 12, 2026

U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) System Delta 80 (SYD 80) and its mission partners successfully completed a National Security Space Launch (NSSL) after a pre-dawn liftoff at 4:22 a.m. EST (1:22 a.m. PST) today aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This was the second NSSL mission for ULA’s Vulcan rocket.

[...]

The Vulcan rocket successfully delivered the mission to the designated orbits despite an observed anomaly early in flight on one of the four solid rocket motors. The USSF SYD 80 team will work closely with ULA per our mission assurance space flightworthiness process before the next Vulcan national security space mission.

The USSF-87 mission included a variety of payloads that will not only advance space technology but also benefit current and future programs of record. The Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) space system is a capability supporting U.S. Space Command’s space surveillance operations as a high-performance, dedicated Space Surveillance Network sensor. Built by Northrop-Grumman, it was deployed approximately 6.5 hours after liftoff.

The system was delivered to orbit by ULA’s Vulcan in the “VC4S” configuration, featuring a Centaur V upper stage, four solid rocket motors and a standard payload fairing. It capitalizes on ULA’s industrial base to deliver highly capable solutions that achieve space dominance for our national security.

In addition to GSSAP, USSF-87 included additional research, development and training systems, which Guardians will use to refine tactics, techniques and procedures for precision on-orbit maneuvers. These systems will also enhance and validate resiliency and protection in geosynchronous orbit.

[...]
Click to expand...
ULA’s Vulcan rocket suffers another booster problem on the way to orbit
Vulcan’s Blue Origin-made BE-4 engines appear to have saved the rocket from failure.

Stephen Clark – Feb 12, 2026 1:33 PM

Excerpt:

Details of Thursday’s booster problem remain unclear. An investigation into the matter is underway, according to ULA, a 50-50 joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. But the circumstances resemble those of the booster malfunction in October 2024. Closeup video from Thursday’s launch shows a fiery plume near the throat of one of the rocket’s four solid-fueled boosters, the area where the motor’s propellant casing connects to its bell-shaped exhaust nozzle. The throat drives super-hot gas from the burning solid propellant through the nozzle to generate thrust.
Click to expand...
 
Atlas solids don't seem to have this problem.

Those have rounded "noses"

Strakes were put just above the SRBs of SLS.

Vulcan 's solids are quite pointy.

The nozzles of the two GEMs the same otherwise?
 
NMaude said:
Elaborate please.
Click to expand...
No On/Off/Throttle control whatsoever, propellant discontinuities like cracks, fractures, or cavities are an issue (obviously nonexistent for liquids), exhausts that contribute to acid rain and ozone depletion, and a segmented solid design killed seven astronauts, the highest number of spaceflight fatalities in a single mission to date. Need I to further elucidate?
 
Last edited:
martinbayer said:
the highest number of spaceflight fatalities in a single mission to date. Need I to further elucidate?
Click to expand...
A meaningless point. Only because it could carry the largest crew. Much like stating the 747 is the most deadly airliner because the more people died at once when it crashes.

The SRBs had only a 0.37% failure rate.
 
But you still bring up Challenger in SD-HLLV discussion.

Had Vulcan been Pyrios:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrios-ULA would have a SRB replacement for SLS and would have had no issue from NorGrum nozzles.

A simpler J-2 upper stage to boot...and no waiting for Bezos engines. No solids needed.

Too late now.

Goodbye ULA.

Thinking small killed them.
 
publiusr said:
But you still bring up Challenger in SD-HLLV discussion.

Had Vulcan been Pyrios:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrios-ULA would have a SRB replacement for SLS and would have had no issue from NorGrum nozzles.

A simpler J-2 upper stage to boot...and no waiting for Bezos engines. No solids needed.

Too late now.

Goodbye ULA.

Thinking small killed them.
Click to expand...
wrong.
a. this isn't a SD-HLLV discussion.
b. F-1B was too large for Vulcan (didn't need > 3,000,000 Ib thrust). The alternative to BE-4 was the AR-1 anyways
c. F-1B would have taken longer to develop than BE-4
d. J-2X was also too large (too high g-loads)
e. ULA isn't dead (it has its largest backlog in its history) but using Pyrios and J-2 would have kill them right off the bat
 
--But it would have been all liquid...and immune from NorGrum's problems. The "excess" power is an asset. Besides, a winged fly-back Pyrios could likely take Vulcan class payloads aloft and land as Aldrin and Hu Davis wanted with the Star Booster/Aquila concept.
 
Last edited:
publiusr said:
--But it would have been all liquid...and immune from NorGrum's problems. The "excess" power is an asset. Besides, a winged fly-back Pyrios could likely take Vulcan class payloads aloft and land as Aldrin and Hu Davis wanted with the Star Booster/Aquila concept.
Click to expand...
wrong, it would be too big. Excess power is not an asset when the costs and g loads are too high,

What winged fly-back Pyrios? Winged fly-back boosters have not been proven yet. Two things are not needed on boosters, large engines and wings.
 
Byeman said:
The SRBs had only a 0.37% failure rate.
Click to expand...
Make that a *CATASTROPHIC* (as in loss of human life!!!) failure rate - care to compare that to *CATASTROPHIC* failure rates of any current liquid rocket engines, My Dearest Coy Anonymous Mister Byeman???
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Back
Top Bottom