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Vulcan Rocket Launches Successfully Despite Booster Burn-Through
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket carried a classified payload for the U.S. Space Force despite an issue with one of its boosters.
Feb. 12, 2026 at 9:39am
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket successfully launched on Thursday morning from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying a classified payload for the U.S. Space Force. However, the launch experienced an apparent burn-through near the nozzle of one of the rocket's four solid rocket boosters about 20 seconds after liftoff. Despite this issue, the overall launch was a success.
Why it matters
The Vulcan Centaur is a new heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by United Launch Alliance to replace the company's legacy Atlas V and Delta IV rockets. This successful launch, despite the booster issue, demonstrates the Vulcan's capabilities and reliability as a next-generation rocket system for critical national security space missions.
The details
The Vulcan Centaur rocket lifted off at 4:22 a.m. EST on Thursday, carrying a payload for the USSF-87 mission to support U.S. Space Command surveillance and the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program. While an apparent burn-through was observed on one of the four solid rocket boosters, the ULA team is currently reviewing the data to determine the cause. The launch marks the fourth mission for the Vulcan Centaur rocket.
- The Vulcan Centaur rocket launched at 4:22 a.m. EST on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
- About 20 seconds after liftoff, an apparent burn-through was observed near the nozzle of one of the rocket's four solid rocket boosters.
The players
United Launch Alliance (ULA)
A joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing that develops and operates heavy-lift launch vehicles, including the new Vulcan Centaur rocket.
U.S. Space Force (USSF)
The space service branch of the United States Armed Forces, responsible for the USSF-87 mission that the Vulcan Centaur rocket was launching.
What’s next
The ULA team will continue to analyze the data from the launch to determine the cause of the apparent burn-through on one of the Vulcan Centaur's solid rocket boosters.
The takeaway
Despite the booster issue, the successful launch of the Vulcan Centaur rocket demonstrates the vehicle's capabilities and reliability for critical national security space missions, marking an important milestone for United Launch Alliance and the U.S. Space Force.
