ULA Says Vulcan Rocket Will Launch Again in November
The rocket will fly a redesigned solid rocket booster nozzle after a February anomaly delayed military and commercial missions.
- United Launch Alliance announced Wednesday that its Vulcan rocket will return to flight on November 13, nine months after a solid rocket booster nozzle anomaly grounded the vehicle.
- Following the February 12, 2026, USSF-87 mission, the rocket was stood down after a Northrop Grumman-built booster suffered a "significant performance anomaly" where a nozzle burned through during ascent.
- ULA engineers implemented nozzle design and process improvements to address the issue, stating: "This upcoming launch will utilize the improved nozzle design, and additional testing and analysis will continue in parallel with the mission."
- This return-to-flight mission will deploy 40 Amazon Leo broadband satellites, marking the first of 38 Vulcan launches Amazon has booked to assemble its internet constellation.
- U.S. Space Force officials are closely scrutinizing the mission to inform future military launch decisions, as the service manages critical national security payloads alongside commercial commitments.
14 Articles
14 Articles
ULA targets Nov. 13 for Vulcan's return to flight
United Launch Alliance plans to launch its Decatur-built Vulcan rocket as early as Nov. 13, carrying 40 Amazon Leo internet satellites in its first flight since a booster malfunction in February prompted the Space Force to suspend its use for…
Bay News 9
ULA announces new Vulcan launch date after nozzle issue
The new launch date is Friday, Nov. 13.
Untied Launch Alliance announces mid-November return to flight for Vulcan rocket
The anticipated launch will be the first for the heavy-lift rocket since a mid-flight nozzle failure on a solid rocket booster. The rocket will carry 40 Amazon Leo satellites to orbit.
Ars Technica
MASSIVE.NEWSULA's Vulcan rocket is set to return to flight on Friday the 13th
This Vulcan launch will be the first to utilize a full complement of six solid rocket boosters.
ULA’s Vulcan set for return 9 months since booster’s nozzle burned off during launch
ULA announced Wednesday that it has made progress enough to line up what would be Vulcan's fifth flight as early as Nov. 13. It won't be for national security, though, but instead the first Vulcan launch for Amazon aiming to send up 40 of its Amazon Leo internet satellites.
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