Vulcan grounding could impact multiple Space Force, NRO satellite launches
Breaking Defense • • science
Key Points:
- The grounding of United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan rocket due to a performance anomaly could delay or reassign multiple upcoming Space Force and NRO missions, including the Next-Gen GEO, SILENTBARKER, and Wideband Global SATCOM-11+ satellites.
- The Space Force is actively assessing the impacts on launch schedules and may adjust manifests based on payload priority and launch timing, with WGS-11 and Next-Gen GEO satellites being the most time-sensitive.
- Following the Vulcan anomaly during the Feb. 12 USSF-87 mission, the Space Force shifted the GPS III SV-10 launch from Vulcan to a SpaceX Falcon 9, targeting a launch by the end of next month.
- ULA and Northrop Grumman are conducting a joint investigation into the solid rocket motor anomaly, and Vulcan flights remain suspended until corrective actions are implemented.
- Despite the anomaly, ULA reported that the Vulcan booster and Centaur performed nominally, successfully delivering the payload to its intended orbit.
