The US Space Force is grappling with operational challenges after United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket experienced its second grounding in less than two years. The issues have prompted the Pentagon to reconsider its approach to procuring launch services, according to a senior military official.
The Vulcan rocket, one of the Space Force's two primary launch vehicles alongside SpaceX's Falcon 9, has faced repeated setbacks since its debut in January 2024. Despite a backlog of nearly 70 launches, Vulcan has flown only four times, with two of those flights encountering anomalies involving solid rocket boosters.
'These incidents raise concerns about reliability and mission success, which are critical factors in our launch strategy,' said a three-star general overseeing space operations.
The first anomaly occurred in October 2024, when an exhaust nozzle detached from one of Vulcan's boosters. A similar issue appeared during a February 2025 launch. While the rocket completed its missions in both cases, the recurring problems have led the Space Force to explore alternatives, including shifting more launches to SpaceX.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 has maintained a strong track record, with high reliability and lower costs compared to ULA's offerings. The potential pivot underscores the Pentagon's focus on efficiency and mission assurance as it navigates an increasingly competitive space launch market.