Story perspectives

ULA's Vulcan Rocket Launches Despite Booster Anomaly

2/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket launched the USSF-87 mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 4:22 a.m. on February 12, 2026.
The rocket encountered a burn-through anomaly in one solid rocket booster but successfully deployed its payloads into geosynchronous orbit.
This mission marked the heaviest launch for Vulcan, which aims to conduct up to 20 launches in 2026, including for Amazon's satellite constellation.
ULA is investigating the booster issue and plans to increase its launch frequency to address a backlog of 70 missions.

History

Historical Context

The United States launched its first dedicated military satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base in 2013, marking a pivotal shift in military space operations. Overseen by the National Reconnaissance Office, satellite missions increased by 20% since 2010. This trend reflects the U.S. Space Force's commitment to enhancing operational readiness and underscores the strategic importance of reliable launch systems for national security.

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Story summary

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket launched the USSF-87 mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 4:22 a.m. on February 12, 2026.
The rocket encountered a burn-through anomaly in one solid rocket booster but successfully deployed its payloads into geosynchronous orbit.
This mission marked the heaviest launch for Vulcan, which aims to conduct up to 20 launches in 2026, including for Amazon's satellite constellation.
ULA is investigating the booster issue and plans to increase its launch frequency to address a backlog of 70 missions.

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