Vulcan / launch vehicle
sourcingtypical 4/5 · 12 factsHeavy-lift launch vehicleUSAactive
Vulcan Centaur is a heavy-lift launch vehicle developed and operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA). It is a two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle consisting of the Vulcan first stage and the Centaur V second stage. Replacing ULA's Atlas V and Delta IV rockets, it is principally designed to meet the needs of the National Security Space Launch program.
key details
faq
Who builds Vulcan?
Vulcan is built by United Launch Alliance. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
How many times has Vulcan flown?
Vulcan has flown 4 times. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
When did Vulcan first fly?
Vulcan first flew on 2024-01-08. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
Is Vulcan reusable?
Vulcan is not reusable. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
facts
providerUnited Launch Alliance
countryUSA
classHeavy-lift launch vehicle
payload to LEO (kg)27200
reusableno
first flight2024-01-08
flights total4
flights successful4
last flight2026-02-12
next flightunknown
price per launch (USD)110000000
diameter (m)5.4
events
- noise2026-08-17ULA names Mark Peller president and CEO, succeeding interim chief Elbon
- notable2026-08-05Blue Origin traces New Glenn pad explosion to BE-4 engine valve
- notable2026-07-24Lockheed Martin guarantees $500 million loan to ULA amid Vulcan grounding
- notable2026-07-21Northrop Grumman takes $91 million more in charges on Vulcan booster program
- notable2026-07-17Space Force triples NSSL Lane 1 launch contract ceiling to $17 billion
- notable2026-07-13NASA moves SunRISE mission from ULA Vulcan to SpaceX Falcon Heavy
- notable2026-07-02GAO flags cost overruns, schedule risk in Space Force satellites
timeline
- 20262026-02-25incidentSpace Force pauses Vulcan national security launches pending SRB anomaly probe (per SpaceNews) (source, as of 2026-07-13)
- 2026-02-12incidentVulcan's USSF-87 launch shows a solid rocket booster anomalous burn pattern (per Spaceflight Now) (source, as of 2026-07-13)
- 20252025-03-26Space Force certifies Vulcan for national security launches (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 20242024-10-04ULA launches Vulcan's second certification flight, notes solid booster observation (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 2024-01-08ULA launches Vulcan for the first time on Cert-1 mission (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 20202020-08-07ULA wins NSSL Phase 2 launch services contract for Vulcan (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 20152015-04-13ULA unveils the Vulcan next generation launch system (source, as of 2026-07-12)
sources
[1] ll.thespacedevs.com ↗
provider2026-07-05country2026-07-05reusable2026-07-05first flight2026-07-05last flight2026-07-05status2026-07-05diameter (m)2026-07-08
[2] en.wikipedia.org ↗
classwikipedia2026-07-05payload to LEO (kg)wikipedia2026-07-05flights totalwikipedia2026-07-05flights successfulwikipedia2026-07-05price per launch (USD)wikipedia2026-07-05