Vulcan Rocket to Return to Flight on November 13
The ULA launch vehicle resumes operations after a nine-month grounding following a booster nozzle anomaly.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Space
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United Launch Alliance has scheduled the return to flight for its Vulcan rocket on November 13, 2026. The vehicle has been grounded since February 12 following a performance anomaly involving its solid rocket booster nozzle.
Why it matters
The grounding triggered a shift of four national security missions to SpaceX, highlighting the interdependency of the two companies certified for sensitive launches. The return of the Vulcan rocket is critical for restoring capacity to orbit for U.S. national security payloads.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) implemented design and process improvements to the solid rocket booster nozzle to address the anomaly. ULA and SpaceX remain the only two providers certified for sensitive national security missions.
The players
United Launch Alliance
A joint venture aerospace firm specializing in heavy-lift launch vehicles for U.S. national security missions.
SpaceX
A private space transportation company that provides Falcon 9 launch services and competes for U.S. national security contracts.
Space Force
The branch of the U.S. Armed Forces responsible for space operations and the oversight of commercial launch providers.
The details
The Vulcan rocket experienced a significant performance anomaly during its February 12 mission, which originated in the solid rocket booster nozzle, the component responsible for directing exhaust gases to generate thrust. Engineers addressed the failure by modifying the nozzle architecture and refining manufacturing processes to ensure stability. The Space Force determines if payloads can be transferred between launch vehicles by analyzing integration timelines and load constraints.
Timeline
February 12, 2026: The Vulcan rocket experienced a significant performance anomaly.
November 13, 2026: The Vulcan rocket is scheduled to return to flight.
End of 2026: The Space Force expects to launch a Space Development Agency Tranche 1 tracking mission on a Falcon 9.
The Tech Race
The U.S. launch market relies on a duopoly of certified providers to ensure uninterrupted access to space for critical assets. Shifting payloads between ULA and SpaceX underscores the operational necessity of maintaining multiple launch providers for national security readiness.
The return to flight status for the Vulcan rocket restores launch capacity for critical U.S. satellite missions scheduled through the end of 2026. Satellite programs will now be evaluated by the Space Force for potential reintegration into the ULA launch schedule.
The takeaway
The return of the Vulcan rocket marks a shift toward restoring the dual-provider launch cadence required for national security. Watch the performance of the November 13 flight for confirmation that design updates to the booster nozzle have resolved the February anomaly.
What happens next
The Space Force plans to shift a future SpaceX mission back to United Launch Alliance to compensate for the previous payload swaps.
Further reading
For broader trends in orbital launch capabilities, see our coverage of Space.
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