tech

March 21, 2026

Once again, ULA can't deliver when the US military needs a satellite in orbit

ULA’s Vulcan launch vehicle is grounded after a solid rocket booster anomaly last month.

Once again, ULA can't deliver when the US military needs a satellite in orbit

TL;DR

  • The US Space Force is moving a GPS satellite launch from ULA's Vulcan rocket to SpaceX's Falcon 9.
  • This is the fourth such transfer in just over a year due to ULA's inability to meet launch schedules.
  • The Vulcan rocket has experienced recurring problems with its solid rocket boosters, leading to investigations and grounding of the vehicle.
  • SpaceX is now the primary launch provider for critical GPS missions due to ULA's issues and SpaceX's demonstrated reliability and flexibility.
  • ULA, once the sole military launch provider, has lost significant market share to SpaceX in recent years.
  • The Space Force aims to ensure assured access to space through flexible launch options, including leveraging SpaceX's capabilities.

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