StoryTest
Vulcan reaches orbit on USSF-87, but one solid booster suffers a nozzle burn-through for the second time
United Launch AllianceVulcan Centaur
About 20 seconds after launch on USSF-87, a nozzle burned through on one of Vulcan's four GEM 63XL solid boosters, making the rocket roll. The main engines compensated and the Space Force satellites reached their planned orbit. It was the second such failure in four Vulcan flights, after the October 2024 certification flight.
- Nozzle burn-through on one GEM 63XL booster ~20 seconds post-launch; caused vehicle roll
- Main engines compensated; Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program payload reached target orbit
- Second similar GEM 63XL failure in four flights (October 2024 certification also had nozzle burn-through)
- Raised questions about long-term booster reliability despite Space Force certification for national-security use