United Launch Alliance Vulcan to Fly November 13
After months grounded, the Vulcan rocket is set to resume its launch schedule following design fixes to its booster nozzle.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Space
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United Launch Alliance has scheduled the return to flight for its Vulcan rocket on November 13 following a grounding period that began in February. The rocket was sidelined after a significant performance anomaly occurred during a February 12 mission involving the solid rocket booster nozzle.
Why it matters
The Vulcan rocket remains a critical component for national security launches, and its return addresses delays that forced the Space Force to shift four missions to SpaceX. Both companies are the only providers currently certified to handle sensitive national security payloads.
The Vulcan rocket returns to flight on November 13 after completing design and process improvements to the solid rocket booster nozzle that caused the February 12 anomaly. ULA and SpaceX remain the two exclusive providers certified for national security missions.
The players
United Launch Alliance
This launch provider is one of only two companies currently certified for sensitive national security missions.
Space Force
This branch of the U.S. Armed Forces is responsible for military satellite launches and national security space operations.
SpaceX
This aerospace company serves as a primary launch provider alongside ULA for government and national security payloads.
Eric Zarybnisky
A Brigadier General who serves as a key official responsible for overseeing space mission readiness and anomaly resolution.
The details
Engineers mitigated the booster nozzle issues through targeted design and process improvements. The Space Force confirmed that it utilizes integration timelines and load analysis to manage payload capacity and determine when missions can be successfully swapped between vehicles.
Timeline
February 12, 2026: The Vulcan rocket experienced a significant performance anomaly.
October 21, 2026: Brig. Gen. Eric Zarybnisky discussed the Vulcan anomaly resolution.
November 13, 2026: The Vulcan rocket is scheduled to return to flight.
The Big Picture
The mission operates under the existing National Security Space Launch certification requirements that mandate rigorous reliability standards for government assets. This launch marks a recovery phase in the competitive landscape as the U.S. balances its dependence between ULA and SpaceX.
The successful return of the Vulcan rocket ensures continued stability for the U.S. national security satellite program. This restoration allows for the eventual return of shifted missions to ULA, maintaining a competitive supply of launch capacity for critical government infrastructure.
The takeaway
Reliability in space hardware is essential for maintaining the integrity of national security satellite networks. Stakeholders and industry observers should monitor upcoming launch data to confirm that the technical improvements effectively resolve previous flight anomalies.
What happens next
The Space Force expects to launch a Space Development Agency Tranche 1 tracking mission on a Falcon 9 rocket before the end of 2026.
Further reading
For more on the current launch environment, see Space.
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Is it a concern when national security projects depend on only one or two private companies?
