Space Force Pauses National Security Launches on ULA Vulcan Rocket

The U.S. Space Force has temporarily halted all national security missions utilizing United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket following a recurring anomaly with the rocket’s solid rocket boosters. This pause aims to allow ULA to investigate and rectify the issue before resuming critical launches.

Booster Anomaly Prompts Investigation

The issue surfaced during the USSF-87 mission on February 12, 2026, where observers noted an irregular plume from one of the Northrop Grumman-built GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters SpaceNews. This mirrored a similar anomaly experienced during the Vulcan’s second flight in October 2024, where a booster nozzle separated during ascent. While the rocket successfully completed both missions due to compensation from the core-stage engines, the recurrence prompted the Space Force to intervene.

Impact on National Security Space Launches

Colonel Eric Zarybnisky, portfolio acquisition executive for space access at Space Systems Command, stated that the investigation is expected to accept “many months” Space.com. The Space Force will not resume national security launches on the Vulcan until the root cause of the anomaly is identified and corrective actions are implemented. The USSF-87 mission carried two reconnaissance satellites for the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP).

Previous Vulcan Launches and USSF-106

ULA’s Vulcan Centaur has completed four launches to date, debuting in January 2024. The first U.S. National security launch aboard a Vulcan rocket, USSF-106, successfully launched on August 12, 2025, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida ULA Launch.

ULA’s Response and Future Outlook

ULA is collaborating with government partners to determine the cause of the booster issue. The halt in national security launches represents a setback for ULA as it aims to increase the Vulcan’s launch rate and fulfill a backlog of approximately 80 missions, including both military and commercial contracts SpaceNews. The previous investigation into a similar issue lasted several months, concluding in March 2025.

Key Takeaways

• The U.S. Space Force has paused national security launches on the ULA Vulcan Centaur rocket.
• The pause is due to a recurring anomaly with the solid rocket boosters.
• An investigation is underway, expected to take several months.
• ULA is working with the Space Force to resolve the issue.