Sparks Seen During ULA Vulcan Rocket Launch in Florida

The United Launch Alliance investigates the cause of the unexpected light show during the Space Force mission.

Feb. 12, 2026 at 9:31pm

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A ULA Vulcan rocket successfully launched a Space Force mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, but sparks were briefly seen coming from the area of the solid rocket boosters shortly after liftoff. ULA said the team is reviewing the data to determine the cause of the anomaly, which did not impact the successful deployment of the payload into orbit.

Why it matters

The Vulcan rocket is a critical launch vehicle for the U.S. Space Force and other national security missions. Any issues or anomalies during launch are closely scrutinized to ensure the rocket's reliability and safety for future flights.

The details

The Vulcan rocket took off at 4:22 a.m. on February 12th, carrying a Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellite for the Space Force. Shortly after liftoff, sparks were seen coming from the area of the solid rocket boosters. ULA said the team is reviewing data and imagery to determine the root cause, and a recovery team will collect any debris. This is not the first time the Vulcan has experienced a solid rocket booster issue, as a similar anomaly occurred during a test flight in 2024.

  • The Vulcan rocket launched at 4:22 a.m. on February 12, 2026.
  • The sparks were observed shortly after liftoff, about 2.5 minutes into the flight.

The players

United Launch Alliance (ULA)

The aerospace company that developed and operates the Vulcan rocket, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

U.S. Space Force

The military service branch responsible for the USSF-87 mission that the Vulcan rocket launched, focused on space-based operations.

Northrop Grumman

The aerospace and defense company that developed the GSSAP satellite payload for the Space Force mission.

Gary Wentz

ULA's vice president of Atlas and Vulcan Programs, who provided an update on the investigation into the launch anomaly.

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What’s next

ULA and the U.S. Space Force will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the launch anomaly, collect any debris, and implement any necessary corrective actions before the next Vulcan rocket mission.

The takeaway

While the Vulcan rocket successfully delivered its payload to orbit, the unexpected sparks during launch highlight the importance of rigorous safety protocols and ongoing monitoring of new launch vehicles, especially for critical national security missions.