ULA Plans Vulcan Rocket Launch Early Thursday

Crew-12 mission now targeting Friday liftoff

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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United Launch Alliance is preparing to launch its Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral early Thursday morning on a National Security mission for the Space Force. This comes as NASA's Crew-12 mission has been pushed to a Friday liftoff.

Why it matters

The Vulcan rocket launch will be a rare sight in the skies of the Space Coast, as ULA's workhorse vehicle makes its debut. Meanwhile, the delay of the Crew-12 mission highlights the complex scheduling challenges faced by launch providers operating on the busy Cape Canaveral spaceport.

The details

ULA's Vulcan rocket is set to lift off no earlier than 3:30 a.m. Thursday, February 12 from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission, titled USSF-87, is for the U.S. Space Force. The Crew-12 mission, originally planned for Thursday, has now been pushed to a Friday liftoff.

  • ULA's Vulcan rocket is scheduled to launch no earlier than 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 12.
  • NASA's Crew-12 mission is now targeting a Friday liftoff.

The players

United Launch Alliance (ULA)

A joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing that provides launch services for the U.S. government.

U.S. Space Force

The space warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces, established in 2019.

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the independent agency of the U.S. Federal Government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

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The takeaway

The upcoming Vulcan rocket launch and Crew-12 mission highlight the busy and complex nature of the Space Coast, as multiple launch providers and government agencies coordinate their activities at the shared spaceport.