Vulcan Centaur Gains Certification to Bolster US National Security Space Missions

The U.S. Space Force has officially certified United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket for national security space missions. This certification, announced on March 26, marks a significant expansion in the country’s National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program, doubling the number of providers alongside SpaceX. Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen emphasized that Vulcan’s certification enhances launch capacity, resiliency, and flexibility for the nation’s most critical space systems. The Space Force views this milestone as a crucial step in ensuring assured access to space, a fundamental component of national security.

Vulcan Centaur Advances as ULA’s Next-Generation Successor to the Atlas V Rocket

ULA has been working toward Vulcan Centaur’s certification since 2016, when it entered an agreement with the U.S. Air Force. At that time, the rocket was still in development, envisioned as the successor to ULA’s reliable Atlas V rocket, which had served national security missions since its debut in 2002.

The Atlas V completed its final NSSL mission in July 2023 and is expected to retire within this decade. With Vulcan now certified, ULA is poised to continue supporting the U.S. government’s space operations with a modernized and more powerful launch vehicle.

Vulcan Centaur made its debut launch in January 2024, successfully carrying Astrobotic’s Peregrine moon lander into space. Unfortunately, the lander suffered a critical anomaly after separation and failed to reach the Moon. Vulcan launched again in October 2024 on a test flight without a customer payload, successfully meeting most of its objectives.

However, one of its solid rocket booster engine nozzles failed due to a manufacturing defect. ULA has since addressed the issue, and the Space Force has deemed the corrective actions satisfactory, granting the rocket approval for national security missions.

Rigorous Certification Process Ensures Reliability for National Security Space Missions

The certification process for Vulcan Centaur was extensive, involving years of assessments and technical verifications. Space Force officials confirmed that Vulcan met 52 certification criteria, including over 180 specific tasks, two certification flight demonstrations, and 114 hardware and software audits.

Additional evaluations included verifying payload interface requirements, reviewing subsystem designs, and ensuring overall flight worthiness. The stringent process reflects the military’s commitment to ensuring the reliability of its launch providers for critical defense and intelligence missions.

With this certification, ULA reinforces its position as a key player in the U.S. space industry, securing its role in national security operations. ULA CEO Tory Bruno expressed gratitude for the Space Force’s confidence in the new rocket, highlighting the company’s longstanding commitment to supporting the nation’s defense.

As the Vulcan Centaur enters service, it will play a vital role in launching high-priority payloads for the U.S. military and intelligence agencies, ensuring continued access to space for national security purposes.