Posted: Sun, Jan 11, 2026, 5:09 PM ET (2209 GMT)
The next Vulcan launch comes as a transitional time for both the rocket and United Launch Alliance. The USSF-87 launch, scheduled for Feb. 2, will deploy two Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program satellites, GSSAP-7 and GSSAP-8, into near-geosynchronous orbit. This will be just the fourth launch of Vulcan as the Space Force pushes ULA to ramp up the pace of vehicle launches to address a backlog of national security missions. It will also be the first since longtime ULA CEO Tory Bruno left the company last month to join Blue Origin. With little margin for additional slips, the transition adds another variable as Vulcan moves from demonstrating it can fly to demonstrating it can fly often.

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