Vulcan rocket begins Space Force national security missions

ULA's Vulcan rocket successfully launched its first National Security Space Launch mission for the U.S. Space Force, deploying a critical navigation satellite. The Vulcan Centaur, a heavy-lift vehicle, took over from the retired Delta IV Heavy. This mission, USSF-106, delivered the Navigation Technology Satellite-3 to geosynchronous orbit. This launch marks a significant step for the Space Force, reducing reliance on foreign-made rocket engines and continuing the NSSL program's evolution with new launch vehicles.