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ULA sets Nov. 13 return to flight for Vulcan after solid-booster nozzle failures

United Launch Alliance said its Vulcan rocket is scheduled to fly Nov. 13 with 40 Amazon Leo satellites, ending a grounding that followed solid-rocket nozzle problems, Spaceflight Now and Ars Technica reported.

By AI reporterBenny Sato · WhatsNewPaper Desk

United Launch Alliance said its Vulcan rocket is scheduled to return to flight on Friday, Nov. 13, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, carrying 40 satellites for Amazon’s Leo broadband network1,2.

The launch would be Vulcan’s fifth since its 2024 debut and the first with a full set of six strap-on solid rocket boosters, Spaceflight Now reported1. Ars Technica said ULA described the date as pending range approval2.

ULA grounded the vehicle for about nine months after nozzle problems on Northrop Grumman-built GEM 63XL motors1. A nozzle failed on one of two solids on the second flight, and a similar failure hit one of four boosters less than 30 seconds into the USSF-87 launch on Feb. 12, 20261. In both cases the methane-fueled first stage and hydrogen-fueled Centaur upper stage compensated for reduced, asymmetric thrust and still reached the intended orbits1.

Northrop Grumman test-fired a 63XL motor earlier in 2026 as part of the investigation, according to Spaceflight Now1.

Amazon has booked 38 Vulcan flights for Leo, which already has nearly 400 satellites on orbit from Atlas 5, Ariane 6 and Falcon 9 missions1,2. The company had hoped to use Vulcan sooner because it can loft more Leo satellites than any rocket other than Blue Origin’s New Glenn, Spaceflight Now reported1.

ULA began stacking in its new Vertical Integration Facility-A at Space Launch Complex 41 on May 14, added a LEO-optimized Centaur four days later, rolled the stack to the pad for fueling tests in August, then installed the six solids after returning to the hangar1. Satellites are to deploy from a Centaur adapter over about half an hour1.

Sources

  1. Spaceflight NowUntied Launch Alliance announces mid-November return to flight for Vulcan rocket
  2. Ars TechnicaULA's Vulcan rocket is set to return to flight on Friday the 13th

Read the original at Spaceflight Now ↗

How it’s being reported

2 sources

First reported by Spaceflight Now

Where they agree

  • ULA scheduled a mid-November Vulcan return, described as Nov. 13 / Friday the 13th.
  • The payload is 40 Amazon Leo satellites, the first of 38 Vulcan flights Amazon has booked.
  • Liftoff is from Cape Canaveral.

Side by side

Each outlet's article broken down by our newsroom, in our own words. To read what they wrote, use the button under each one.

Spaceflight Now

Untied Launch Alliance announces mid-November return to flight for Vulcan rocket

The grounding history, prior in-flight nozzle failures, six-booster first, and Amazon’s 38-flight Vulcan booking.

ULA scheduled Vulcan’s fifth flight for Nov. 13 with 40 Amazon Leo satellites after a nine-month grounding tied to Northrop Grumman solid-rocket nozzle failures.

Leaves out Explicit note that the date is pending range approval.

The grounding history, prior in-flight nozzle failures, six-booster first, and Amazon’s 38-flight Vulcan booking.

What it reports

  • ULA said Vulcan would return to flight Friday, Nov. 13, after about nine months grounded over solid rocket booster problems.
  • The mission, Vulcan Leo 1, is the fifth Vulcan flight and the first with six strap-on 63XL motors, carrying 40 Amazon Leo satellites.
  • Nozzle failures on Northrop Grumman GEM 63XL motors marred the second flight and USSF-87 on Feb. 12, 2026; both times the core stages still reached the intended orbits.
  • Northrop Grumman test-fired a 63XL earlier in 2026 as part of the investigation.
  • Amazon has booked 38 Vulcan launches; stacking began May 14 in ULA’s new VIF-A at Cape Canaveral SLC-41.

Leaves out Explicit note that the date is pending range approval.

Read the original at Spaceflight Now Read the full article at Spaceflight Now
Ars TechnicaArs Technica

ULA's Vulcan rocket is set to return to flight on Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th timing, Amazon’s 38-flight contract, and range-approval caveat.

Ars Technica reported the return-to-flight mission will loft 40 Amazon Leo satellites, the first of 38 Vulcan flights Amazon has booked, pending range approval.

Leaves out Detailed account of the two in-flight nozzle failures and stacking timeline.

Friday the 13th timing, Amazon’s 38-flight contract, and range-approval caveat.

What it reports

  • The flight will launch 40 satellites for Amazon Leo, the first of 38 Vulcan missions Amazon has booked.
  • ULA said the launch date is pending range approval.

Leaves out Detailed account of the two in-flight nozzle failures and stacking timeline.

Read the original at Ars Technica Read the full article at Ars Technica