United Launch Alliance (ULA) has been patiently waiting for the US Space Force's green light for its Vulcan rocket. The plan was to launch a military mission on the rocket last year. Unfortunately, that did not happen, and the Space Force's certification process has not been complete.

        Meanwhile, ULA has been forced to dismantle the third Vulcan rocket. This is because of a delay in the certification. The reason is the vertical intergration process can't handle two rockets at same time.  ULA has decided to use the space for putting together Atlas V rocket. This is necessary for the upcoming mission of the first batch of Amazon's Kuiper satellites.

        The Vulcan launcher has been affected by this problem. Many military satellites will have to wait for their trip to orbit.  ULA had hoped to complete an impressive 20 missions in 2025, splitting them evenly between the Vulcan and the Atlas V. Now, it looks like the first launch of Vulcan isn't happening anytime soon. This is sad news for the Space Force and satellites that were planned to be launched.

        Getting a new rocket certified is not just about ticking a few boxes. It's a long and thorough process. The Space Force must ensure the Vulcan rocket is a reliable ride to orbit for the most sensitive satellites. This includes spy satellites, missile warning systems, and GPS spacecraft.

        The Space Force has had faith in both ULA and SpaceX and awarded them multi-billion dollar contracts to handle dozens of national security space missions. These missions were initially promised to be completed by the end of 2027. This is looking unlikely.

        ULA is gearing up for its Phase 2 missions. 26 missions are assigned to ULA, 22 missions to SpaceX. The total amount is worth $4. 5 billion.  This includes 25 more Vulcan missions. 2027 is looking unlikely. The aim is to ensure the development and success of the Vulcan rocket.  SpaceX started delivering on its Phase 2 contract.

        This has led to a lot of uncertainty. Important missions have shifted, and the Vulcan rocket's future is hanging in the balance. Vulcan was hoped to have a big year soon. However, many critical missions are potentially delayed.

Vulcan Rocket: Space Force Approval Hiccups

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