Vulcan woes will "absolutely" be a factor in Pentagon's next rocket competition
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Space Force may shift many launches from ULA to SpaceX due to ULA rocket issues.
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The US Space Force is considering shifting a "significant number" of launches from United Launch Alliance (ULA) to SpaceX due to ongoing issues with ULA's Vulcan rocket. The Vulcan has experienced two solid rocket booster anomalies in less than two years, including an exhaust nozzle blowing off in October 2024 and again in February of this year. Despite a backlog of nearly 70 launches, the Vulcan has flown only four times since its January 2024 debut. A three-star general stated Tuesday that this experience will likely influence how the Pentagon procures future launch services. This potential shift could significantly alter the Space Force's reliance on its two primary launch vehicles.
What's Being Done
The US Space Force is considering moving a "significant number" of launches from ULA to SpaceX.
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