USSF-87

Overview

Destination: Geostationary Orbit
Mission: Government/Top Secret

Geostationary Orbit Space Launch Complex 41 Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

USSF-87 will launch two identical Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites GSSAP-7 and GSSAP-8 directly to a near-geosynchronous orbit approximately 36,000 km above the equator. Data from the GSSAP will uniquely contribute to timely and accurate orbital predictions, further enabling space flight safety including satellite collision avoidance.

Updates

Cosmic_Penguin • Jan. 7, 2026, 3:21 p.m.

Changed rocket configuration.


Cosmic_Penguin • Jan. 7, 2026, 3:18 p.m.

NET February 2.


Cosmic_Penguin • Dec. 31, 2025, 5:20 p.m.

NET January.


Cosmic_Penguin • Nov. 26, 2025, 11:52 p.m.

No more ULA (Vulcan) launches for 2025.


Cosmic_Penguin • Nov. 22, 2024, 10:17 a.m.

NET early 2025.


Vulcan VC4S

Family:
Configuration: VC4S

Vulcan Centaur is a two-stage-to-orbit, heavy-lift launch vehicle under development by United Launch Alliance (ULA) since 2014. It is principally designed to meet launch demands for the U.S. government's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program for use by the United States Space Force and U.S. intelligence agencies for national security satellite launches. It will replace both of ULA's existing launchers (Atlas V and Delta IV Heavy) in this role, as these launchers are retiring.

See Details
Specifications
  • Length
  • Diameter
  • Fairing Diameter
  • Launch Mass
  • Thrust
Family
  • Name
    Vulcan VC4S
  • Family
  • Variant
    VC4S
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Vulcan VC4S
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
  • Low Earth Orbit
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity

United Launch Alliance

United Launch Alliance

(ULA)

Interim CEO: John Elbon Founded: 2006 Successes: 170 Failures: 0 Pending: 41

Agency Type:

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. ULA launches from both coasts of the US. They launch their Atlas V vehicle from LC-41 in Cape Canaveral and LC-3E at Vandeberg. Their Delta IV launches from LC-37 at Cape Canaveral and LC-6 at Vandenberg.

INFO WIKI

Related News

Arstechnica

Rocket Report: Next Vulcan launch slips into 2025; Starship gets a green light

"Constellation companies and government satellite operators are desperate."

SpaceNews

Space Force adjusts timeline as Vulcan’s national security launches slip to 2025

Two missions—USSF-106 and USSF-87—are currently waiting in the wings, with payloads ready but no confirmed launch dates The post Space Force adjusts timeline as Vulcan’s national security launches slip to 2025 appeared first on SpaceNews.

Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Space Launch Complex 41


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