The U.S. Space Force is experiencing delays in the launch of national security payloads on United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket.
The inaugural launch, originally scheduled for 2024, is now expected to take place in 2025.
The Space Force's reliance on SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets for National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions highlights the urgency of Vulcan's certification.
ULA has completed only one of the 35 missions allocated under the NSSL Phase 2 contract, with 25 launches still pending for Vulcan by fiscal year 2027. The certification challenges faced by ULA have implications for future launch schedules and the upcoming NSSL Phase 3 procurement.
The entry of Blue Origin, which is working to certify its New Glenn rocket, adds competition to the contract allocation process.
The timeline for the Lane 2 awards has slipped, and stable funding is crucial for the success of future missions. The Space Force emphasizes the need for reliable launch capabilities in an era where national security relies heavily on space-based assets.