Space Force pauses national-security launches on Vulcan during the booster investigation

United Launch Alliance/Vulcan Centaur

The U.S. Space Force suspended all Vulcan launches under the National Security Space Launch program while investigating a recurring issue with Northrop Grumman's GEM 63XL solid boosters. Col. Eric Zarybnisky said no Vulcan missions would fly until the anomaly is solved. SpaceX is expected to take over the final GPS III satellite launch.

• Space Force halted all Vulcan NSSL launches pending anomaly resolution on GEM 63XL solid rocket motors
• Recurring issue: similar GEM 63XL nozzle anomaly occurred during October 2024 certification flight
• Impact: SpaceX expected to assume final Lockheed Martin GPS III satellite launch from ULA
• Col. Zarybnisky: 'Until this anomaly is solved we will not be launching Vulcan missions'