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Pentagon Launch Purchases Impacted by ULA's Vulcan Issues

4/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Lieutenant General Philip Garrant of the U.S. Space Force says United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket issues will influence future Pentagon launch purchases.
United Launch Alliance's Vulcan debuted in January 2024 and has flown four times, with two missions showing anomalies in its solid rocket boosters.
Despite these malfunctions, the rocket reached its intended orbits.
The vehicle may not return to flight for military missions until late this year, raising questions about ULA's reliability.

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Story summary

Lieutenant General Philip Garrant of the U.S. Space Force says United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket issues will influence future Pentagon launch purchases.
United Launch Alliance's Vulcan debuted in January 2024 and has flown four times, with two missions showing anomalies in its solid rocket boosters.
Despite these malfunctions, the rocket reached its intended orbits.
The vehicle may not return to flight for military missions until late this year, raising questions about ULA's reliability.