Vulcan VC4S
ActiveUnited Launch Alliance (ULA)
Aug. 13, 2025
Description
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.
Specifications
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Length
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Fairing Diameter
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Launch Mass
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Thrust
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Family
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Name
Vulcan VC4S -
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Variant
VC4S -
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Full Name
Vulcan VC4S
Payload Capacity
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Low Earth Orbit
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Geostationary Transfer
Orbit
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Direct Geostationary
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Sun-Synchronous Capacity
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United Launch Alliance
Commercial
Interim CEO: John Elbon
ULA 2006United 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.
Upcoming Spaceflights
Vulcan VC4S | USSF-87
United Launch Alliance | United States of AmericaCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
TBD February, 2026
Status: To Be Determined
Mission:
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.
Geostationary OrbitVulcan VC4S | NROL-88
United Launch Alliance | United States of AmericaCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
TBD June, 2027
Vulcan VC4S | USSF-106
United Launch Alliance | United States of AmericaCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Aug. 13, 2025, 12:56 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
USSF-106 is a mission for the United States Space Force. The launch will deploy various payloads directly into geosynchronous orbit, including the NTS-3 (Navigation Technology Satellite 3), a demonstration navigation satellite testing a new digital signal generator that can be reprogrammed on-orbit to broadcast new signals, improve performance by avoiding and defeating interference, and adding signatures for detecting spoofing attacks.
Geosynchronous OrbitFalcon 9
GPS III SV09
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USANinth of ten GPS III missions.
Falcon 9
Starlink Group 17-20
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USAA batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
New Shepard
NS-38
West Texas Suborbital Launch Site/ Corn Ranch - Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USANS-38 is the 17th crewed flight for the New Shepard program and the 38th in the New Shepard program's history.
Electron
The Cosmos Will See You Now (Open Cosmos Constellation Launch 1)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A - Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New ZealandFirst 2 satellites (named MR-1 and MR-2) of UK-based Open Cosmos' secure LEO broadband constellation designed to provide independent and resilient co…
Falcon 9
Starlink Group 17-30
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USAA batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
