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United Launch Alliance—Vulcan CentaurUnited Launch Alliance—Vulcan CentaurUnited Launch Alliance—Vulcan CentaurUnited Launch Alliance—United Launch Alliance—
Vulcan Centaur
Photo: NASA/Ben Smegelsky · Public domain (opens commons.wikimedia.org)

Vulcan Centaur

by United Launch AllianceUS

DeployStage 4 of 5

Grounded since a booster problem on its Feb 2026 flight; ULA aims to fly again by end of 2026.

Updated 14 May 2026Checked 25 Sep0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · Vulcan return to flight targeted by end of 2026
  1. First launch (Peregrine lunar lander)8 Jan 2024+60 mooriginally 2019Complete.
  2. Second flight reaches orbit despite losing a booster nozzle4 Oct 2024Complete.
  3. Cleared for US military launches26 Mar 2025Complete.
  4. First US military mission (USSF-106)12 Aug 2025Complete.

Most important updates

  • 14 May 2026
  • 26 Feb 2026
  • 12 Feb 2026
  • 26 Mar 2025
  • 29 Mar 2023

Upcoming

  1. Q4 2026Vulcan return to flight targeted by end of 2026 (next)

Current obstacles

  • Few launches, no reuseA rocket thrown away after a handful of flights a year costs more than reusable rivals; plans to recover its engines aren't ready.

Physics limits

  • The rocket equation makes payload a sliver of launch massOrbit needs about 9.4 km/s of speed change including losses. Fuel needed grows exponentially with that, so even the best rockets put only 2 to 5% of their liftoff mass into low orbit.
  • Solid boosters can't be shut off or throttledOnce lit, a solid motor burns until empty. Its nozzle throat faces 3,000 °C gas for the whole burn, and erosion or a flaw can't be corrected in flight.
  • Throwaway rockets pay for new hardware each flightWith no stage recovered, every launch costs a full set of engines and tanks. Cost falls only through volume, never by reuse.

How it works

3 parts
The base of a Vulcan booster in the assembly building: the nozzles of its two BE-4 methane engines, covered for protection
The base of a Vulcan booster in the assembly building: the nozzles of its two BE-4 methane engines, covered for protectionPhoto: NASA HQ PHOTO · Public domain (opens commons.wikimedia.org)
Core

Two methane engines

The core stage uses two Blue Origin BE-4 engines burning methane and liquid oxygen, the same engine as New Glenn.

Boosters

Up to six solid boosters

Strap-on GEM 63XL solid motors add thrust at liftoff; the number (0, 2, 4 or 6) is chosen to match the payload.

Centaur V

A hydrogen upper stage

Two RL10 hydrogen engines on the thin-walled Centaur V give very high efficiency for long burns to high orbits.

Update log

5 updates

Thu 14 May

  • Minor: PressTest

Thu 26 Feb

  • Major: PressRegulatory

Thu 12 Feb

  • Major: PressTest

Wed 26 Mar 2025

  • Major: PressRegulatory

Wed 29 Mar 2023

  • Major: PressTest

About United Launch Alliance

The team behind Vulcan Centaur

United Launch Alliance

Vulcan rocket, US military launches

A Boeing and Lockheed Martin joint company that launches US military, NASA and commercial satellites. Its Vulcan rocket, using Blue Origin engines, entered service in 2024 and was cleared for military missions in 2025.

  • Vulcan was cleared for US military launches in March 2025, despite losing a booster nozzle on its second flight.
  • CEO Tory Bruno left for Blue Origin at the turn of 2026; Mark Peller was named CEO in August 2026.
  • Over 80 missions booked, including Amazon's internet satellites.

ulalaunch.com (opens ulalaunch.com)Company profile →

Founded
200620 yrs
Headquarters
United States
Status
Subsidiaryof Boeing / Lockheed Martin JV
Valuation
Boeing / Lockheed Martin JV-owned
Works in
SpaceflightLaunch
Coverage
1 program · 7 updateslatest 17 Aug 2026checked 25 Sep
Customers
U.S. Space Force (opens spaceforce.mil)
Suppliers
Blue Origin
People
Mark Peller (opens ulalaunch.com)CEO
Primer