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Vulcan completes USSF‑87 launch after SRB anomaly; BE‑4 engines compensated, investigation opened

United Launch Alliance's Vulcan successfully delivered the USSF‑87 payload despite a mid‑flight anomaly in one of four solid rocket boosters that produced a visible plume. ULA says the BE‑4 core engines compensated and the vehicle completed its mission; an investigation and review are under way before the next national‑security flight.

Discovered 2026-02-12T04:16:00.262575-08:00 | 2026-02-12T04:16:00.262575-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The vehicle completed its mission despite an anomaly in one of four solid rocket boosters; this was Vulcan carrying the USSF‑87 and the launcher’s fourth flight, with ULA saying BE‑4 core engines compensated during ascent (Vulcan carrying the USSF‑87).

  • An investigation and formal review have been opened; findings will determine whether Vulcan is cleared to carry the next national‑security payload and could affect Space Force manifest timing.

  • Repeated anomalies on a nascent launcher raise programmatic risk to launch cadence and national‑security access to space; operators will treat this alongside other recent fleet reviews, such as the Falcon 9 pause after an off‑nominal second‑stage event (SpaceX fleet review precedent).

Reported By

spacewar.com spacetoday.net dailygalaxy.com defence-industry.eu autonomyglobal.co newspaceeconomy.ca
Sources Tracked
16
First Seen
2026-02-12T04:16:00.262575-08:00
Latest Update
2026-02-18T03:33:21.154576-08:00
Coverage
Space

Sources

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