The United Launch Alliance continues to launch its first Vulcan Centaur of the year, making it the first for the Space Force.
The company’s new primary rocket is scheduled to lift the USSF-106 mission from Space Launch Complex 41 at 8:56pm, at the afternoon of Canaveral Space Force Station, near the end of the one-hour launch window, which was originally ready to be fired just before sunset.
Space-released Delta 45 weather squadron predicts 80% chance for good launch conditions.
Its payload is two satellites, including the navigation technology satellite-3 heading into Earth orbit. Built by L3Harris, it is funded by the Air Force Research Institute and could become a potential alternative to GPS. Other satellites are classified.
The mission was awarded to ULA in 2020 and initially targeted launches by 2022, but due to delays in Vulcan Development, the first two launches were pushed in 2024.
The Balkan already has 26 national security task orders due to the contract being concluded, and will be awarded over the next few years. However, some of them are delayed in schedule due to delays in rocket development.
But, although it’s coming three years later, its debut marks a key milestone in the launch of national security.
“A rather historic point in the history of our program. With this launch, we formally end our reliance on Russian-made main engines,” said Jim Horn III, mission director and senior material leader, as a senior leader in Space Systems Command.
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) will hoist the USSF-106 mission payload into the Government’s Vertical Integration Facility (VIF-G) adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex-41 on July 24, 2025. (Courtesy/United Launch Alliance)
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) will hoist the USSF-106 mission payload into the Government’s Vertical Integration Facility (VIF-G) adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex-41 on July 24, 2025. (Courtesy/United Launch Alliance)
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) will transport the USSF-106 mission payload to the Government’s Vertical Integration Facility (VIF-G) on July 24, 2025, to the Government’s Vertical Integration Facility (VIF-G) adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex-41. (Courtesy/United Launch Alliance)
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The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur Rocket for the USSF-106 mission will be caught up in the pads of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on Monday, August 11, 2025.
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Featuring two BE-4 engines built by US-based Blue Origin, ULA’s Vulcan is an alternative to the Atlas V and recently retired Delta IV Rockets. These rockets had engines supplied by Russia. Due to the requirements of Congress passed in the first half of the decade, the Pentagon has directed the use of Russian-made rocket engines to stop using missions.
SpaceX, DOD’s other major launch provider, has always created engines in the US, similar to Blue Origin, which secured future launch contracts.
“We are at least two independent rocket services companies that have continued to maintain solid access to space and can be used to leverage our capabilities in orbit,” Horn said.
ULA and SPACEX flew the final round of national security missions awarded between 2020 and 2024 to worth around $8.5 billion between 2022 and 2028.
Both companies have the largest pie in the new five-year stage of task orders. This is worth at least $13.7 billion, covering 84 expected missions through 2032 to 2029.
For the Space Force, Horn said it would be a good thing to go back to business launching missions.
“Obviously there’s a backlog of the missions we’re working on,” he said. “We really just want to focus on this, but we’re going to say we’re ready and appearing to launch as quickly as possible through that backlog.”
The ULA has the USSF-87, the Space Force’s next mission awarded in 2021 and was planned for release in 2023.
However, step 1 is to keep the USSF-106 away from the ground.
“This will be the most powerful Vulcan ever,” said Ula’s Gary Wentz, vice president of government and commercial programs.
On the first two certified flights, two solid rocket boosters were used to increase the power of the two BE-4 engines. The launch is four, so when combined with rocket power, it will have over 2.9 million pounds of thrust in the lift-off.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the pads clear,” he said. “This mission is directed directly on the geographical adhesion trajectory and will be one of the longest missions ever. And if you’re tracking the history of the Vulcan, this is the sole purpose of this vehicle. It was intentionally designed to support these missions.
The more powerful version of the Vulcan with up to six solid rocket boosters can give thrusts of over £3.8 million. This will be the version that the Vulcan will use when flying its first commercial flight of Amazon’s Project Kuiper.
The launch was established in 2006 as a partnership between Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and will be taking place alongside the 101st National Security Flight along with the flights of ULA’s stable and the Atlas and Delta Rockets.
“We are proud to bring most of our country’s important satellites into orbit and look forward to continuing this capability,” Wentz said. “The Vulcan incorporates the best of Atlas and Delta heritage and has created a single launch vehicle for ULA to support the full range of needs demanded by its national security space customers.”
Original issue: August 12, 2025, 6pm
