Pentagon Approves Vulcan Centaur, Ending SpaceX’s Solo Military Launch Streak

The United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket has received official certification from the United States Space Force (USSF), confirming it as fit for national security launches. This puts ULA alongside SpaceX as one of the Pentagon’s core providers for military space operations.

Vulcan Centaur Certified for National Security Missions by US Space Force

Securing the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) certification is no minor feat. It marks the end of a rigorous multi-year process between ULA and the Space Force’s Space Systems Command. Vulcan had to meet 52 certification criteria, undergo two demonstration flights, and complete 180 technical and procedural tasks. The rocket’s design was dissected across 18 subsystems, and ULA’s hardware and software underwent 114 audits. Payload integration requirements, 60 of them were also scrutinised. Brigadier General Kristin Panzenhagen, Program Executive Officer for Assured Access to Space, called the milestone a boost to the country’s space launch flexibility and resilience.

Vulcan: The Successor to Atlas V and Delta IV

The Vulcan Centaur replaces the ageing Atlas V and Delta IV systems. It combines BE-4 engines in its first stage with ULA’s well-established Centaur upper stage, offering the precision and lift capability needed for complex defence-related missions. ULA chief executive Tory Bruno emphasised that Vulcan was built with national security launches in mind, delivering the performance and reliability essential for placing sensitive and high-value payloads in precise orbits.

A More Competitive Landscape

SpaceX has so far carried the bulk of America’s military launch contracts with its Falcon 9 rocket. Vulcan’s arrival adds a second certified launch vehicle into the mix, giving the military added capacity and reducing reliance on a single provider. As Panzenhagen noted, introducing Vulcan bolsters assured access to space by expanding launch options at a time when strategic space assets are becoming increasingly critical.

Strategic Payloads in the Pipeline

Now cleared for duty, Vulcan is expected to take on several high-profile missions. These include launches for the Space Development Agency, upcoming GPS satellites, and undisclosed payloads for the National Reconnaissance Office and DARPA. This certification ensures continuity in mission planning and deployment for these key programmes, further anchoring the US’s capabilities in orbit.