Space Force Ramps Up Secrecy for Crucial Rocket Launch
▼ Summary
– The US military has approved United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket to carry national security satellites after over a decade of development and testing.
– An experimental military navigation satellite will be launched into geosynchronous orbit aboard the Vulcan rocket, with additional undisclosed payloads.
– The Vulcan rocket is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral with an 80% chance of favorable weather, and its upper stage will take hours to reach orbit.
– ULA has over 70 Vulcan launches planned for commercial and government customers, with Amazon and the US Space Force as primary users.
– This mission will use an upgraded Vulcan configuration with four solid rocket boosters, despite a nozzle failure in a previous test flight.
The US Space Force is preparing for a highly classified rocket launch carrying critical national security payloads aboard United Launch Alliance’s new Vulcan vehicle. This mission marks a significant milestone after years of development and rigorous testing to certify the rocket for operational use.
Scheduled for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the Vulcan will deploy an advanced military navigation satellite into geosynchronous orbit, approximately 22,000 miles above Earth. While details about additional payloads remain undisclosed, the mission underscores the growing reliance on private-sector launch providers for sensitive defense operations.
Weather conditions appear favorable, with an 80% chance of clear skies during the one-hour launch window. The Centaur upper stage will require several hours to maneuver the satellite into its final orbital position. Live coverage will be available for public viewing, though specifics about the classified cargo remain tightly guarded.
This launch follows two successful test flights in 2024, which validated Vulcan’s performance and reliability. With over 70 missions already booked, including contracts with Amazon and the Space Force, ULA is positioning the rocket as a cornerstone of future space logistics.
“This will be the most powerful Vulcan yet,” said Gary Wentz, ULA’s vice president of government and commercial programs. Unlike previous test flights, which used two strap-on boosters, this mission, designated USSF-106, will utilize four upgraded Northrop Grumman solid rocket boosters.
Though these boosters have a decades-long track record, they faced scrutiny after a nozzle detached during the second test flight last October. Despite the anomaly, the rocket completed its mission flawlessly, demonstrating resilience under unexpected conditions. The Space Force’s confidence in Vulcan signals a new era of collaboration between military and commercial space ventures.
(Source: Ars Technica)