Vulcan family
Vulcan 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.
Vulcan VC4S is built by United Launch Alliance of the United States. Company background, funding, contracts and news for this operator are tracked on Space Index. It first flew on 13 August 2025.
Flight record
Vehicle
| Maiden flight | 2025-08-13 |
|---|
Pads used
Orbits delivered
Launch history
| Date | Mission | Pad | Orbit | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-12 | Vulcan VC4S | USSF-87 | Space Launch Complex 41 | Geostationary Orbit | Success |
| 2025-08-13 | Vulcan VC4S | USSF-106 | Space Launch Complex 41 | Geosynchronous Orbit | Success |
| TBD | Vulcan VC4S | NROL-88 | Space Launch Complex 41 | Unknown | Scheduled |
Specifications from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs, launch records from Space Index. Derived figures are computed here; see sources and method.
Further reading: Wikipedia · Operator page