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Additional Media

Watch live: ULA to launch geosynchronous orbit warning spacecraft for U.S. Space Force

Watch live coverage from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as United Launch Alliance (ULA) launches a Vulcan rocket with the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) spacecraft onboard. Liftoff from pad 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is scheduled for 4:22 a.m. EST (0922 UTC). The U.S. Space Force …

ULA Vulcan VC4S launches USSF-87

ULA Vulcan VC4S launches USSF-87 (GSSAP 7 & 8) from SLC-41, Cape Canaveral. Launch window: Feb 12 03:30 AM Eastern to 05:30AM Eastern. Current T0: Feb 12 03:30 AM Eastern. ⚡ Become a member of NASASpaceflight's channel for exclusive discord access, fast turnaround clips, and other exclusive benefits. Your support …

Vulcan USSF-87

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket will deliver national security spacecraft directly to geosynchronous orbit for the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command on the USSF-87 mission. Liftoff will occur from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Launch ...

USSF-87

Overview

Destination: Geostationary Orbit
Mission: Government/Top Secret

Geostationary Orbit Space Launch Complex 41 Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA Probability: 95%

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.

Telemetry

Launch trajectory and telemetry simulations provided by Flight Club - a rocket launch simulator and orbital trajectory visualiser for all things space!

Updates

Cosmic_Penguin • Feb. 4, 2026, 6:19 p.m.

Added launch window.


Cosmic_Penguin • Dec. 31, 2025, 5:20 p.m.

NET January.


Cosmic_Penguin • Feb. 9, 2026, 3:37 p.m.

Updated launch window.


Cosmic_Penguin • Nov. 26, 2025, 11:52 p.m.

No more ULA (Vulcan) launches for 2025.


Cosmic_Penguin • Feb. 10, 2026, 6:48 p.m.

Updated launch weather, 95% GO.


Vulcan VC4S

Family:
Configuration: VC4S

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.

See Details
Specifications
  • Length
  • Diameter
  • Fairing Diameter
  • Launch Mass
  • Thrust
Family
  • Name
    Vulcan VC4S
  • Family
  • Variant
    VC4S
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Vulcan VC4S
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
  • Low Earth Orbit
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity

United Launch Alliance

United Launch Alliance

(ULA)

Interim CEO: John Elbon Founded: 2006 Successes: 174 Failures: 0 Pending: 37

Agency Type:

United 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.

INFO WIKI

Related News

SpaceNews

Space Force adjusts timeline as Vulcan’s national security launches slip to 2025

Two missions—USSF-106 and USSF-87—are currently waiting in the wings, with payloads ready but no confirmed launch dates The post Space Force adjusts timeline as Vulcan’s national security launches slip to 2025 appeared first on SpaceNews.

Arstechnica

Rocket Report: Next Vulcan launch slips into 2025; Starship gets a green light

"Constellation companies and government satellite operators are desperate."

SpaceNews

Vulcan to open 2026 with national security launch

The launch of USSF-87 comes amid leadership change at United Launch Alliance and pressure to increase launch tempo The post Vulcan to open 2026 with national security launch appeared first on SpaceNews.

Spaceflight Now

Eastern Range ready for same day fueling of Space Launch System, Vulcan rockets

Florida’s Space Coast is preparing for a future that could see in excess of 350 launches annually.

Spaceflight Now

ULA offloads first Vulcan rocket at Vandenberg at it preps its next Cape launch

United Launch Alliance is preparing for the launch of the USSF-87 mission for the U.S. Space Force no earlier than Feb. 12, which will fly from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

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