ULA Vulcan Launches USSF-87 for Space Force, Suffers Booster Anomaly but Reaches Orbit
Summary: On July 11, 2026 ULA flew Vulcan on its first 2026 mission (USSF-87 for the U.S. Space Force); a solid rocket booster anomaly during ascent is under investigation but the payload reached orbit.
On July 11, 2026, United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, carrying the USSF-87 payload for the U.S. Space Force. The flight marked Vulcan's first launch of 2026.
During ascent, an anomaly was reported on one of the four solid rocket boosters (SRBs) attached to the Vulcan core stage, with visible irregular exhaust signatures and flight perturbations observed from the ground. ULA later confirmed the issue and initiated a root-cause investigation; preliminary findings have not yet been released.
Despite the booster anomaly, Vulcan completed its ascent profile and successfully delivered the USSF-87 payload into geosynchronous orbit (GEO), achieving the primary mission objective. Final insertion accuracy and on-orbit payload status await confirmation from ULA and the Space Force.
Notably, similar SRB anomalies have surfaced on earlier Vulcan flights, and some outlets have described the event as a familiar anomaly. ULA has not yet announced preliminary findings, and any impact on the company's upcoming flight manifest remains to be confirmed.