As Space Coast skies faded into night, United Launch Alliance launched their Vulcan-Centaur rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at 7:59 PM Eastern Time, carrying the classified USSF-106 mission for the U.S. Space Force. The evening launch, near the end of the one-hour window, was a successful return for the vehicle after its near-catastrophic solid rocket failure in its last launch in October, 2024.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched its Vulcan-Centaur rocket from LC-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station carrying the the USSF‑106 mission Tuesday night. Liftoff was at 8:56 PM ET, close to the end of the launch window and into partly cloudy skies, as the usual summer storms were mostly west of the Cape and far away enough to present no problem for the launch team.
This was Vulcan-Centaur’s first operational mission and the first national security payload to utilize its services, a milestone ULA has been working toward since 2014. ULA has faced scrutiny over Vulcan, with military officials calling for more reliability and accountability as the company shifts gearsto its new fleet. There are no more Delta-family launches left, and a dwindling number of Atlas-V launches, most of which are planned for Amazon’s Kuiper Project as well as the Boeing Starliner program.
The DoD awarded ULA a multibillion‑dollar contract in April 2025, securing 19 missions through 2034 under the NSSL Phase 2 procurement. Having completed its certification for National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions, Vulcan-Centaur and ULA join SpaceX as one of only two providers cleared to carry critical U.S. military and intelligence assets.
“National security begins at liftoff,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “Vulcan did exactly what it was built to do: deliver a critical mission with power, precision and confidence. We are proud to play a role in strengthening the nation’s space capabilities.”
Two methane‑fueled Blue Origin BE‑4 engines power Vulcan Centaur’s core stage, and for this mission, it was equipped with four Northrop Grumman GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters. Two L3 Harris Rocketdyne RL‑10 engines power the second stage, making Vulcan-Centaur a powerful workhorse for the company as it moves into the future.
The centerpiece of USSF‑106 is the Navigation Technology Satellite‑3 (NTS‑3) a pioneering PNT (position, navigation, and timing) satellite developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory. It’s the first experimental navigation satellite launched by the U.S. military in nearly half a century—a milestone with huge implications for future secure and adaptive navigation systems.
Also aboard USSF-106 was another undisclosed payload, and requests to the Space Force for any additional information were not granted. That’s the nature of classified payloads, and the fewer questions asked the better.
More information on the satellite can be found in this video:
| Mission | Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 10-20 |
|---|---|
| Organization | SpaceX |
| Location | Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5 |
| Pad | Space Launch Complex 40 |
| Status | Go for Launch |
| Status Info | Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources. |
| Window Opens | Thursday, 08/14/2025 6:47 AM EDT |
| Window Closes | Thursday, 08/14/2025 10:47 AM EDT |
| Destination | Low Earth Orbit |
| Mission Description | A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation—SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system. |
| Information current as of: August 12, 2025 (based on latest verified sources) | |
Launch dates and liftoff times are subject to change at any time.
ULA’s next launch is the third Atlas mission for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, Kuiper 3, which will launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. That could occur in 4-6 weeks according to unofficial estimates.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is gearing up for a Vulcan launch tonight from SLC-41, USSF-106. Liftoff is set between 7:59 and 8:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (2359–0059 UTC). And, if weather and timing permits, the launch may come with a bonus: a jellyfish plume, one of the most spectacular sights a launch spectator can see.
The weather looks favorable, with an 80% chance of conditions being acceptable through the launch window. The primary concerns include cumulus clouds, lightning potential, and surface electric fields. This is of course a common scenario for late-afternoon summer launches on the Space Coast. Final launch preparations by ULA and the Space Force, including the launch vehicle readiness review, are complete and “GO” for tonight.
If the skies cooperate and if the timing is just right, one of tonight’s most awe-inducing side effects could be a “space jellyfish”, a glowing, jellyfish-shaped plume formed by sunlight illuminating rocket exhaust at high altitude, while the ground below remains in twilight or darkness.
Here’s how it works:
| Mission | Vulcan VC4S | USSF-106 |
|---|---|
| Organization | United Launch Alliance |
| Location | Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA |
| Rocket | Vulcan VC4S |
| Pad | Space Launch Complex 41 |
| Status | Go for Launch |
| Status Info | Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources. |
| Window Opens | Tuesday, 08/12/2025 7:59 PM EDT |
| Window Closes | Tuesday, 08/12/2025 8:59 PM EDT |
| Destination | Geosynchronous Orbit |
| Mission Description | USSF-106 is a mission for the United States Space Force deploying payloads—including NTS-3 (Navigation Technology Satellite 3), a demonstrator of a reprogrammable navigation signal generator—directly into GEO. |
| Information current as of: August 11, 2025, 12:00 PM EDT | |
Launch dates and liftoff times are subject to change at any time.
Slightly south from due East:
The 45th Weather Squadron of Space Launch Delta 45 estimates an 80% chance of acceptable launch conditions throughout the hour-long window:
ULA will have a livestream of the launch on their website: USSF-106.
Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link
For official updates regarding launch times, ULA’s website is the best source of information. Look for the Live Updates section: USSF-106
Remember that there is a delay between a launch stream and the actual countdown clock. That is simply because of physics: it takes time for the signal to travel from the launch site, through the Internet, and back down to your phone, resulting in a five to fifteen-second delay.
Next Space Flight an app for iOS and Android phones, has a real-time countdown clock that is accurate to a second, give or take. The app is free. Search the App Store or Google Play. They are also on the web: nextspaceflight.com.
The best free options are available for spectators: Titusville parks on Washington Avenu / US-1 are your best bets: Space View Park, Sands Park, Rotary Riverfront Park, Kennedy Point Park, etc. Jetty Park is also good, as are the pullouts on 528W near the Banana River Bridge.
The Space Bar will be open through the launch window. Restaurants in Port Canaveral, specifically Gators Dockside, Fishlips and Grills Seafood should have good views after the rocket clears obstructions.
Under clear, hot skies this morning, United Launch Alliance launched one of their fifteen remaining Atlas V rockets carrying 27 satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper. Launch was at 6:54 AM from LC-41 at Cape Canaveral and by all appearances, it was a nominal flight for the veteran rocket. This was the 103rd launch for an Atlas V which entered service on August 21, 2002. All missions save one have been successful, and that mission was a partial success on Atlas V’s first launch.
Today’s launch was the second attempt for this mission. On June 16th, the countdown was halted due to an engine problem, necessitating a return trip to ULA’s Vertical Integration Facility, located at LC-37, for repairs. Once the issues were remediated, the rocket and the weather both cooperated flawlessly in today’s countdown, leading to the launch at the opening of the launch window.
Today’s mission will place 27 Kuiper satellites into orbit, making 54 of the planned 3,236 satellites in 98 orbital planes across three orbital shells at altitudes of 590 km, 610 km, and 630 km. Those satellites that will comprise the constellation Amazon is planning for Internet connectivity services. While Amazon has thousands of satellites left on the manifest to launch for Project Kuiper, the company has stated that they plan to start providing internet service later this year.
“We are proud to continue our strong partnership with Amazon and empower their mission to bridge the digital divide through reliable satellite technology,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “ULA, working as a catalyst to global connectivity in collaboration with Amazon, enables delivery of these critical satellites designed to drive innovation and connect the world.”
At 8:02 AM ET, ULA announced that they had placed the payload into a successful orbit, marking the operational end of the mission.
Kuiper is planned to compete against SpaceX’s Starlink Internet service, which is already far ahead both in terms of satellites on orbit (Starlink has over 7,000, with their number increasing with as many as three launches per week) and customers (Starlink has over six million customers in over 100 countries and territories worldwide.) While Starlink has a massive head start, Amazon is hoping to play the hare to SpaceX’s rabbit and to provide a viable source of competition to the SpaceX product as soon as is possible.
ULA’s next launch is the first Vulcan mission for the U.S. Space Force, USSF-106.
Not much is known about the appearance of the Kuiper satellite, as Amazon has kept a tight lid on the information released about the physical appearance of their orbital platforms.
Wednesday afternoon, SpaceX plans to launch another group of Starlink satellites from SLC-40.
| Mission | Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 10‑16 |
|---|---|
| Organization | SpaceX |
| Location | Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5 |
| Pad | Space Launch Complex 40 |
| Status | To Be Confirmed |
| Status Info | Awaiting official confirmation – current date is known with some certainty. |
| Window Opens | Wednesday, 06/25/2025 12:33:00 PM EDT |
| Window Closes | Wednesday, 06/25/2025 4:33:00 PM EDT |
| Destination | Low Earth Orbit |
| Mission Description | A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega‑constellation – SpaceX’s project for a space‑based Internet communication system. |
Under clear, hot skies this morning, United Launch Alliance launched one of their fifteen remaining Atlas V rockets carrying 27 satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper. Launch was at 6:54 AM from LC-41 at Cape Canaveral and by all appearances, it was a nominal flight for the veteran rocket. This was the 103rd launch for the venerable rocket. The first Atlas V launch was on August 21, 2002.
United Launch Alliance’s Kuiper KA-01 mission was scrubbed last night due to persistent high winds and offshore showers. SpaceX has the range scheduled for a Starlink launch from KSC this evening, so ULA will be pushed back to at least Monday.
According to ULA CEO Tory Bruno on X.com, “Mighty Atlas’ count was very clean. Unfortunately, weather stayed rough. [We] appreciate support from the USSF Weather team.”
The Monday date is pending Eastern Range approval, among others, and may shift. As always, stay tuned.
SpaceX is planning to launch another set of Starlink satellites to orbit from pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center this evening. The launch window opens at 9:54 PM ET and extends to 1:43 AM Friday morning. According to SpaceX, “If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Friday, April 11 starting at 9:15 p.m. ET.”
| Mission | Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 12-17 |
|---|---|
| Organization | SpaceX |
| Location | Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5 |
| Pad | Launch Complex 39A |
| Status | Go for Launch |
| Status Info | Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources. |
| Window Opens | Thursday, 04/10/2025 9:54:40 PM EDT |
| Window Closes | Friday, 04/11/2025 1:43:00 AM EDT |
| Destination | Low Earth Orbit |
| Mission Description | A batch of 21 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation—SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system. |
After concluding its duty powering the payload towards orbit, the first stage booster, B1083, will land on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ which will be stationed on the Atlantic Ocean near The Bahamas. Since the booster is not returning directly to the Cape Canaveral region after liftoff, there will not be a sonic book over the Space Coast region.
Weather looks good, with only a 5% chance of a weather-related range violation. That said, it should be a beautiful evening to go to space.
This will be the 10th flight of B1083. Previously, it has launched Crew-8, Polaris Dawn, CRS-31, Astranis: From One to Many, IM-2, and four Starlink missions.
The trajectory is southeast, and Starlink 12-17 will pass just east of The Bahamas on its way to orbit.
Due to the SpaceX launch, this evening is not an option for United Launch Alliance to fly Atlas V and the Kuiper KA-01 mission. At this point in time, secondary sources (FAA, etc) are pointing to an attempt this coming Monday, April 14th.
For more specific information on this mission, click here: ULA Set To Launch Atlas V and Amazon Kuiper KA-01.
| Mission | Atlas V 551 | Project Kuiper (KA-01) |
|---|---|
| Organization | United Launch Alliance |
| Location | Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA |
| Rocket | Atlas V 551 |
| Pad | Space Launch Complex 41 |
| Status | To Be Confirmed |
| Status Info | Awaiting official confirmation—current date is known with some certainty. |
| Window Opens | Monday, 04/14/2025 7:00:00 PM EDT |
| Window Closes | Monday, 04/14/2025 11:34:00 PM EDT |
| Destination | Low Earth Orbit |
| Mission Description | Project Kuiper is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access. This constellation will be managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon. It is planned to be composed of 3,276 satellites, projected to be placed in 98 orbital planes across three orbital layers at altitudes of 590 km, 610 km, and 630 km. |
Keep in mind that is not official, and it could easily change. Stay tuned for any schedule shifts.
UPDATE: the launch was scrubbed due to offshore weather and also heavy winds throughout the launch window. The next attempt is penciled in for Monday, April 14, between 7:00PM and 11:34 PM EDT.
United Launch Alliance is set to launch and Atlas V 551 this evening from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch window opens at 7:00 PM ET and closes again at 9:00 PM the same day.
This will be ULA’s first launch this year. The company is winding down Atlas V launches, with only fifteen remaining, tonight’s launch included. ULA also recently retired Delta IV Heavy, and launched the last one a year ago today. The company is moving towards its Vulcan rocket, which it has launched twice. Vulcan recently received USSL certification for its new Vulcan rocket, which is now awaiting payloads prior to its next flight.
As is customary with Atlas V, all stages are expendable, so there will be no landing and retrieval of the booster. After its job is done for the day, it will crash into the ocean and sleep with the fishes.
For More Coverage of Amazon Kuiper Project, click here.
The 45th Weather Squadron of Space Delta 45 has posted their Launch Mission Execution Forecast, and they are rating the chances of a weather violation at 45% on Wednesday April 9, with chances dropping drastically to only a 10% chance of weather being an issue on Thursday.
Northeast. Depending on when Atlas V launches, it may put on quite a show. Local sunset is 7:45 PM ET, so if the launch is at the opening of the window, we will see a beautiful sunset launch. If it is delayed an hour, the sun will have set on the ground, but Civil Twilight last until 8:09 PM and that means that Atlas V’s plumes will still be in sunlight up high. It might be interesting, but forecasting a jellyfish plume is tricky.
Similar to SpaceX’s Starlink, Project Kuiper is Amazon’s initiative to provide global broadband access through a constellation of over 3,000 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Announced in 2019, the project’s goal is to deliver fast, affordable internet connectivity to unserved and underserved communities worldwide. Like Starlink, by leveraging LEO satellites, Project Kuiper aims to provide low-latency broadband services to a diverse range of customers, including individual households, schools, hospitals, businesses, and government agencies.
To achieve this, Amazon plans to deploy some 3,236 satellites at altitudes ranging from 590 to 630 kilometers. The company has secured agreements for up to 83 launches over a five-year period, utilizing various launch providers such as Arianespace’s Ariane 6, Blue Origin’s New Glenn, and United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V and later, Vulcan Centaur.
Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link
For official updates regarding launch times, United Launch Alliance’s website is the best source of information. Launch times change from time to time, and the company generally updates their website within minutes of the decision to change the launch time. This is very handy if none of the streaming options on YouTube have started their broadcasts.
Remember that there is a delay between a launch stream and the actual countdown clock. That is simply because of physics: it takes time for the signal to travel from the launch site, through the Internet, and back down to your phone, resulting in a five to fifteen-second delay.
Next Space Flight an app for iOS and Android phones, has a real-time countdown clock that is accurate to a second, give or take. The app is free. Search the App Store or Google Play. They are also on the web: nextspaceflight.com.
The southern viewing spots are the best for this launch, but none are particularly close except for Playalinda Beach. Problem is, Playalinda closes at 8PM, so unless the launch is right on time, it won’t be an option.
The best free options are available for spectators: 528 West at the Banana River Bridge, Jetty Park and Cherie Down Park in Cape Canaveral. Southern Titusville parks on Washington Avenu / US-1 are also good: Kennedy Point and Rotary Riverfront Park are your best bets.
Local recommendations also say the Cafe Paradiso and Ven pa’ Ca Café are excellent choices for before, after and even during launches. Grab a bite to eat, walk over to the Indian River and watch the launch.
The United States Space Force has officially certified United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket for National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions. This certification follows an extensive evaluation process, including two successful certification flights.
With this approval, ULA is now authorized to conduct NSSL missions, enhancing the nation’s assured access to space by having multiple unique launch service vehicles across multiple vendors. The government seeks this not for operational convenience but instead for tactical agility.
NSSL certification encompasses 52 criteria, involving over 180 specific tasks. These tasks included two certification flight demonstrations, 60 verifications of payload interface requirements, 18 subsystem design and test reviews, and 114 hardware and software audits. This rigorous assessment established the technical foundation for future flightworthiness evaluations.
“The SSC and ULA teams have worked together extremely closely, and certification of this launch system is a direct result of their focus, dedication, and teamwork,” said Gen Panzenhagen, Program Executive Officer for Assured Access to Space.
The Vulcan Centaur rocket features the Centaur V upper stage, measuring 5.4 meters in diameter and 11.7 meters in length, with a propellant capacity of 120,000 pounds. Constructed from pressure-stabilized, corrosion-resistant stainless steel, the Centaur V utilizes two RL10C engines fueled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. This design aims to provide enhanced performance and flexibility for complex orbital insertions.
“Thank you to all our customer partners who have worked hand-in-hand with us throughout this comprehensive certification process. We are grateful for the collaboration and excited to reach this critical milestone in Vulcan development,” said Tory Bruno, ULA’s president and CEO.“Vulcan is uniquely designed to meet the challenging requirements demanded by an expanding spectrum of missions for U.S. national security space launches. Moreover, this next-generation rocket provides high performance and extreme accuracy while continuing to deliver to our customer’s most challenging and exotic orbits.”
In its inaugural launch on January 8, 2024, the Vulcan Centaur successfully deployed the Peregrine lunar lander. Despite a propulsion issue with the lander that prevented a lunar landing, the Vulcan Centaur performed as intended. A subsequent certification flight on October 4, 2024, experienced a nozzle anomaly on one of the solid rocket boosters but still achieved the mission’s objectives.
With the Vulcan Centaur’s certification, ULA plans to support multiple NSSL missions in the coming years.
United Launch Alliance successfully launched its second Vulcan rocket this morning from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral. The launch was not a perfect one, however, as Vulcan survived a very close call when one of the two solid-rocket boosters on the first stage partially failed and lost its nozzle in flight.
Despite a partial loss of thrust from the errant SRB, ULA’s flight software and engineering teams were able to make corrections to trajectory of the rocket as it continued to ascent.
United Launch Alliance is planning to launch its second Vulcan rocket early tomorrow morning from Space Launch Complex 41. Liftoff is currently scheduled for 06:00 AM EDT, with a launch window that extends to 09:00 AM EDT the same day.
The launch is planned for about 75 minutes before sunrise, and if liftoff occurs before the sun peeks over the horizon, the expanding gases of the second stage may produce a spectacular display.
ULA announced yesterday the mission has been cleared to proceed.
According to the company, “The LRR, led by ULA Launch Director Eric Richards, was completed this morning at the Advanced Spaceflight Operations Center (ASOC).”
“Leadership from ULA and the Space Force assessed the readiness of the rocket, payload and mission assets, discussed the status of pre-flight processing work, heard technical overviews of the countdown and flight, and previewed the weather forecast that projects a 75 percent chance of meeting the launch rules.”
“At the conclusion of the meeting, senior leaders were polled and gave a ready status for launch, then signed the Launch Readiness Certificate.”
The 45th Weather Squadron has listed a 20% Probability of Violation for tomorrow’s launch, which means that the weather is expected to be 80% GO at launch time.
In this case, the mission is the payload.
CERT-2 is designed to be the second and final demonstration flight of Vulcan. The key objective for CERT-2 is to validate the performance of the Vulcan rocket and to demonstrate to the Department of Defense that the Vulcan flight system is ready for national defense and surveillance payloads.
Aside from the flight characteristics and performance of the Blue Origin BE-4 booster, ULA will also gauge the performance of its Centaur V upper stage. The stage was redesigned for Vulcan and proving its abilities and reliability is also a critical piece of the certification process.
CERT-2 was originally scheduled to carry the Sierra Space Dream Chaser ‘Tenacity’ on its maiden flight, but ULA was forced to switch to an inert payload for CERT-2 due to Dream Chaser not being ready for flight. Dream Chaser is currently scheduled to fly sometime in 2025, but no launch date has been announced. Currently, the spacecraft is at Kennedy Space Center undergoing flight preparations.
Eastwards, relatively speaking. Vulcan is destined for a heliocentric orbit around the sun, so it will take a path that lines up with the equator.
SpaceCoastLaunchCalendar.com will have a livestream of the launch if you’re not able to watch the launch in person: Livestream
ULA will have a livestream of the launch on their website: ULA Cert-2 Mission Page. This will also be available on the Youtube platform. Coverage will start about about twenty minutes prior to liftoff.
Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link
For official updates regarding launch times, ULA’s Cert-2 Mission Page is the best source of information. Starlink launch times change from time to time, and the company generally updates their website within minutes of the decision to change the launch time. This is very handy if none of the streaming options on YouTube have started their broadcasts.
Remember that there is a delay between a launch stream and the actual countdown clock. That is simply because of physics: it takes time for the signal to travel from the launch site, through the Internet, and back down to your phone, resulting in a five to fifteen-second delay.
Next Space Flight an app for iOS and Android phones, has a real-time countdown clock that is accurate to a second, give or take. The app is free. Search the App Store or Google Play. They are also on the web: nextspaceflight.com.
Given that this is a launch from Cape Canaveral’s SLC-41, Jetty Park, The Banana River Bridge and southern Titusville Parks are your best bets.
Cocoa Beach and the northern Titusville parks will have an excellent view as well.
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