List of Vulcan launches

This is a list of launches made by the Vulcan Centaur rocket since its maiden launch on January 8, 2024. All future launches are on hold pending an investigation.[1]

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, at 07:18 UTC.[2] 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.[3]

Launch statistics

Launch outcomes
1
2
  •   Failure
  •   Partial failure
  •   Success
Launch sites
1
2
2024
2025
2026
Rocket configurations
1
2
2024
2025
2026
  •   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[4]
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.[5]
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.[6][7] 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,[8][9] with the Space Force praising the launch and "the robustness of the total Vulcan system".[10] The nozzle anomaly was attributed to a manufacturing defect in a insulator located inside the nozzle.[11]

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.[12] Maiden flight of Vulcan Centaur VC4S Configuration.[13][14] First NSSL mission for Vulcan Centaur.[15] Carried Navigation Technology Satellite 3 (NTS-3), an experimental spacecraft to test technologies for next-generation GPS satellites.

2026

Flight No. Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
configuration 		Launch site Payload Payload mass Orbit Customer Launch
outcome
4 February 12, 2026
09:22 		Vulcan Centaur VC4S[16] Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 USSF-87 Unknown GSO U.S. Space Force Success
Primary GSSAP 7 & 8 with multiple secondary payloads aboard Northrop Grumman’s ESPAStar platform.[17] First launch to use the more efficient offsite vertical integration process; it was ULA’s longest mission to date, lasting nearly 10 hours from liftoff to end of mission.[18] An anomaly on one of four solid rocket boosters reduced performance, but the vehicle achieved nominal orbital insertion.[19]

Future launches

Future launches are listed chronologically when firm plans are in place. The order of the later launches is much less certain.[20] Launches are expected to take place "no earlier than" (NET) the listed date.

2026

Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
configuration 		Launch site Payload Orbit Customer
2026[21][22][23] Vulcan Centaur VC6L[14] 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.
2026[24] Vulcan Centaur VC2S[25] Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 GPS III SV10[26] MEO U.S. Space Force
First GPS mission for Vulcan Centaur. NSSL contract for FY2024.
2026[27] Vulcan Centaur VC6L[14] Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 LeoSat × 45 (LV-02) LEO Amazon (Amazon Leo)
Second of 38 Vulcan Centaur launches for Amazon Leo, formerly Project Kuiper.
2026[28] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[29] USSF-57 (NG-OPIR-GEO 1) GEO U.S. Space Force
Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared satellite.
2026[30][31] Vulcan Centaur VC2S Vandenberg, SLC‑3E SDA T1TR-B LEO SDA
Tranche 1 Tracking Layer B missile tracking satellites. First Vulcan launch from Vandenberg.
2026[32] Vulcan Centaur VC4 Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 NROL-64 TBA NRO
First NRO launch on Vulcan.[30] Possibly SunRISE 1-6 as secondary.
2026[30] Vulcan Centaur VC2S Vandenberg, SLC‑3E SDA T1TR-D LEO SDA
Tranche 1 Tracking Layer D missile tracking satellites.
2026[28] Vulcan Centaur Vandenberg, SLC‑3E SDA T2TL-B LEO SDA
Tranche 2 Transport Layer B missile tracking satellites.
2026[33] Vulcan Centaur VC4L[14] 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[34] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 USSF-43 (LDPE-4 & TBA) TBA U.S. Space Force
Rapid On-orbit Space Technology Evaluation Ring (ROOSTER)-4[35]
2026[36][37][38] 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.
2026[36] Vulcan Centaur VC4S Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 USSF-112 TBA U.S. Space Force
Classified payload.
2026[34] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 USSF-23 TBA U.S. Space Force
Classified payload.
2026[34] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 USSF-16 TBA U.S. Space Force
Classified payload.
2026[30] Vulcan Centaur Vandenberg, SLC‑3E USSF-114 TBA U.S. Space Force
Classified payload.
2026[30] Vulcan Centaur Vandenberg, SLC‑3E NROL-83 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload. First announced Vulcan Centaur launch from Vandenberg.
2026[28] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[29] Silentbarker 2A, 2B, 2C (NROL-118) GEO U.S. Space Force (NRO)
Classified USSF & NRO partnered program.
2026[28] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[29] NROL-56 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload.
2026[28] Vulcan Centaur Vandenberg, SLC‑3E[29] NROL-73 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload.
2026[28] Vulcan Centaur Vandenberg, SLC‑3E[29] NROL-100 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload.
2026[28] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[29] NROL-109 TBA NRO
Classified NRO payload.
2026[28] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[29] STP-5 LEO U.S. Space Force
Two satellites for Department of Defense Strategic Capabilities Office[39]
2026[28] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41[29] Missile Track Custody 1 (USSF-95) MEO U.S. Space Force
First launch of Missile Track Custody satellites.

2027

Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
configuration 		Launch site Payload Orbit Customer
Q2 2027[40] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 GPS IIIF-1[26] MEO U.S. Space Force
First GPS Block IIIF navigation satellite.
Q2 2027[40] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 GPS IIIF-2[26] MEO U.S. Space Force
Also designated USSF-49 under NSSL.
2027[41] 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 NROL-88[42] TBA NRO
Classified NRO Mission.

2028

Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
configuration 		Launch site Payload Orbit Customer
Q1 2028[40] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 GPS IIIF-3[26] MEO U.S. Space Force
Also designated USSF-15 under NSSL.
Q3 2028[40] Vulcan Centaur Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 GPS IIIF-4[43] MEO U.S. Space Force
Also designated USSF-88 under NSSL.

TBD

Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
configuration 		Launch site Payload Orbit Customer
TBD[44] Vulcan Centaur VC4L[14] Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 SSC CRS-1 to CRS-5 LEO (ISS) NASA (CRS)
5 Dream Chaser launches on contract.
TBD[21] Vulcan Centaur VC6L[14] Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 LeoSat × 45 (LV-03 to LV-38) LEO Amazon (Amazon Leo)
38 Vulcan Centaur launches ordered for Amazon Leo.

See also

References

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  2. ^ Bruno, Tory (December 10, 2023). "#VulcanRocket WDR update". X. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ McCrea, Aaron (January 8, 2024). "Vulcan successfully launches Peregrine lunar lander on inaugural flight". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Vulcan Cert-2". United Launch Alliance. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  8. ^ Clark, Stephen (October 4, 2024). "ULA's second Vulcan rocket lost part of its booster and kept going". Ars Technica. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  9. ^ Foust, Jeff (October 4, 2024). "Vulcan competes second flight despite SRB anomaly". SpaceNews. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  10. ^ 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
  11. ^ Foust, Jeff (March 12, 2025). "Manufacturing defect blamed for Vulcan solid rocket motor anomaly". SpaceNews. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  12. ^ Erwin, Sandra (April 9, 2022). "Air Force space experiment will seek to demonstrate multi-orbit satellite navigation". SpaceNews. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  13. ^ @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 X (formerly Twitter).
  14. ^ a b c d e f Krebs, Gunter (December 19, 2023). "Vulcan". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
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  20. ^ Baylor, Michael. "Upcoming Launches: Vulcan". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
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  22. ^ "SpaceX lines up 1st Space Coast launch of the year". January 3, 2026. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  23. ^ "OET Special Temporary Authority Report".
  24. ^ Hitchens, Theresa (January 28, 2026). "As Space Force wraps up GPS III launches, lawmakers push for more anti-jam capability". Breaking Defense. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  25. ^ @torybruno (May 16, 2024). "Likely a 2 solid. When the Gov wants to go" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  26. ^ a b c d "Space Systems Command declares three GPS III space vehicles "Available for Launch"". www.ssc.spaceforce.mil. August 24, 2021.
  27. ^ https://twitter.com/Amazonleo/status/2013717959529689486
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  29. ^ 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 X (formerly Twitter).
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