US EditionSpace Force Halts Vulcan Rocket Launches Over Booster Anomaly
The U.S. Space Force paused Vulcan launches after a booster anomaly on Feb. 12 USSF-87 mission; investigation expected to last months before flights resume.
- At an Air Force Association's Warfare Symposium in Colorado, a top service official said the U.S. Space Force will pause Vulcan launches until the anomaly is resolved.
- Shortly after liftoff on USSF-87, observers noted an irregular plume from a Northrop Grumman-built GEM 63XL solid rocket booster, resembling a prior nozzle-separation issue ULA said was corrected.
- ULA and Northrop Grumman are forming an investigation team to review data, inspect spent motor assemblies, and develop corrective actions before flying Vulcan again.
- With Vulcan grounded, the Space Force relies solely on SpaceX to carry out NSSL missions until Vulcan returns, potentially impacting the GPS III SV-10 launch planned for no later than next month.
- Amid schedule pressure, the review could take many months, complicating the launch projection of 18-22 launches this year amid a backlog of roughly 80 missions, Space Force said.
30 Articles
30 Articles
Space Force pauses national security launches on Vulcan
“We’re still in the initial phases of that investigation, so we’ll continue to to work with the United Launch Alliance and their suppliers to make sure we’ve got the right level of insight and understand where that investigation is headed,” Col. Eric Zarybnisky said.
Space Force won't use ULA's Vulcan until anomaly resolved
DENVER -- The Space Force won't use Vulcan rockets for National Security Space Launch missions until the service and the contractor can resolve the anomaly from a recent launch, a service official said today. The investigation into the anomaly on the United Launch Alliance rocket could take several months, said Col. Erik Zarybnisky, acting portfolio acquisition executive for space access. “We are going to work through this anomaly before I go ba…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
