The likelihood of two Space Force missions launching this year on United Launch Alliance’s new Vulcan rocket is quickly diminishing, according to a senior Space Force official.
The rocket conducted its second flight in October, a critical step for gaining certification to carry military payloads. However, the data from that launch is still under review, and official approval may take several more weeks, delaying the timeline.
Currently, two Space Force satellites are on hold, awaiting the rocket’s clearance. One of these missions, known as USSF-106, includes the Navigation Technology Satellite-3, an experimental spacecraft designed to enhance GPS capabilities. Originally scheduled for launch in 2022, the delay has extended well beyond its initial timeline. The second mission, USSF-87, remains classified, adding urgency to its deployment. Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant of Space Systems Command stated that while he remains confident in Vulcan’s eventual certification, the shrinking timeframe poses a challenge to launching both missions by year’s end.
ULA, co-owned by Lockheed Martin and Boeing, is in the process of transitioning from its Atlas V and Delta IV rockets to the more advanced Vulcan. Along with SpaceX, ULA is one of two companies authorized to perform national security launches for the Department of Defense and intelligence agencies. The certification of the Vulcan rocket requires two successful test flights. While the first flight in January went smoothly, the second, despite being deemed nominal, revealed an issue with one of the rocket’s solid boosters, prompting further analysis.
A combined team from ULA and Space Systems Command is working to investigate the anomaly, identify its root cause, and determine corrective actions. Both parties have stated that the certification process is nearing completion, with approval expected in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the delay has also affected the launch of multiple GPS III satellites built by Lockheed Martin. These satellites, which were initially scheduled to fly on Vulcan, remain in storage awaiting certification.
Despite these delays, military users have not been affected since the current GPS constellation is functioning effectively. However, Space Force officials are considering whether some GPS III missions originally planned for SpaceX launches could be rescheduled to earlier dates to maintain flexibility. ULA CEO Tory Bruno had previously expressed optimism about completing the certification process swiftly following October’s launch, but the additional review process highlights the complexities involved in deploying new technology for critical national security missions. As the year comes to a close, both the Space Force and ULA face a race against time to achieve certification and launch the waiting payloads.