What Happened to United Launch Alliance (ULA)?
United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, has been undergoing a significant transition with its new Vulcan Centaur rocket. After its maiden flight in January 2024 and certification for national security missions in March 2025, the Vulcan experienced a solid rocket booster anomaly during a February 2026 launch, leading to a grounding of national security flights. Amidst this, ULA saw a change in leadership with Tory Bruno's departure and Mark Peller's appointment as CEO, while also securing a $1.5 billion bond offering and continuing to fulfill commercial contracts for Amazon's Project Kuiper.
Quick Answer
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is currently navigating a pivotal period marked by the operationalization of its new Vulcan Centaur rocket, which replaced its legacy Atlas V and Delta IV vehicles. Following a successful debut and certification, a solid rocket booster anomaly during a February 2026 national security launch led to a temporary grounding of Vulcan for such missions. The company has also seen a leadership transition with Mark Peller becoming CEO in August 2026 and recently raised $1.5 billion in a private bond offering, as it works to increase its launch cadence and fulfill a substantial backlog, particularly for Amazon's Project Kuiper.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
United Launch Alliance (ULA) Formed
Lockheed Martin and Boeing complete the transaction to combine their expendable launch vehicle businesses, forming ULA as a 50/50 joint venture.
Vulcan Centaur Development Begins
ULA begins development of the Vulcan Centaur rocket to replace its Atlas V and Delta IV vehicles and to phase out the Russian-made RD-180 engine.
First Vulcan Centaur Rocket Components Arrive in Florida
ULA unloads the first Vulcan Centaur rocket components at Port Canaveral, marking a significant step towards its debut flight.
Vulcan Centaur Maiden Flight (Cert-1)
The Vulcan Centaur successfully conducts its first launch, carrying Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander as part of NASA's CLPS program.
Vulcan Centaur Second Certification Flight (Cert-2) with SRB Anomaly
Vulcan Centaur's second flight achieves orbit despite a nozzle on one of its solid rocket boosters falling off, leading to reduced and asymmetrical thrust.
Space Force Certifies Vulcan for NSSL Missions
Following a five-month review of the Cert-2 anomaly, the U.S. Space Force certifies Vulcan for national security space launch missions.
ULA Awarded 40% of NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 Missions
The U.S. Space Force awards ULA a firm, fixed-price contract to launch 40 percent of critical national security missions, with SpaceX receiving the majority.
Vulcan's Operational Debut (USSF-106)
The USSF-106 mission serves as the operational debut for the Vulcan Centaur rocket.
Tory Bruno Departs as CEO, John Elbon Named Interim CEO
Long-time ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno steps down after nearly 12 years to join Blue Origin, with COO John Elbon appointed as interim CEO.
Vulcan Centaur Launches USSF-87 with Another SRB Anomaly
ULA's Vulcan rocket launches the USSF-87 mission, but a significant performance anomaly is observed on one of the solid rocket motors, marking the second such incident.
Space Force Grounds Vulcan for National Security Missions
The U.S. Space Force announces it will fly no more national security missions on Vulcan until an investigation into the solid rocket motor issue is complete.
Mark Peller Appointed CEO, ULA Completes $1.5B Bond Offering
Mark Peller, former COO and lead of Vulcan development, is named the new President and CEO. ULA also completes a $1.5 billion private bond offering to refinance debt and fund operations.
Vulcan Remains Grounded for National Security Missions, Aims for Commercial Return
As of this date, Vulcan Centaur remains grounded for national security missions pending the SRB investigation. ULA is working towards a commercial return to flight, potentially with an Amazon Leo mission, by the end of 2026.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
United Launch Alliance (ULA) was formed in December 2006 as a 50-50 joint venture between Lockheed Martin Space and Boeing Defense, Space & Security, consolidating their government space launch operations. For over a decade, ULA held a near-monopoly on U.S. National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions with its Atlas V and Delta IV rockets.
The company embarked on developing the Vulcan Centaur in 2014, aiming to replace its aging fleet, compete with new entrants like SpaceX, and phase out the Russian-made RD-180 engine used on the Atlas V. The Vulcan Centaur faced multiple delays, primarily due to developmental challenges with its Blue Origin-built BE-4 first-stage engines and the Centaur V second stage. Its maiden flight, Cert-1, finally occurred on January 8, 2024, carrying Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander. The second certification flight, Cert-2, took place on October 4, 2024, and, despite a solid rocket booster (SRB) nozzle anomaly, achieved its planned orbit. Following a five-month review, the U.S. Space Force certified Vulcan for NSSL missions in March 2025.
In April 2025, ULA was awarded a significant contract for 40% of the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 missions, while SpaceX secured the majority. Vulcan's operational debut for national security occurred in August 2025 with the USSF-106 mission. However, a critical turning point came on February 12, 2026, during the USSF-87 mission, when another significant performance anomaly was observed on one of the Vulcan's solid rocket motors, marking the second such incident. Although the mission successfully delivered its payloads, the Space Force grounded Vulcan for national security missions on February 26, 2026, pending a thorough investigation into the SRB issue.
This grounding led to some national security payloads, such as GPS III SV-10, being reassigned to SpaceX. Amidst these technical challenges, ULA also experienced significant leadership changes. Long-time President and CEO Tory Bruno departed in December 2025 to take a senior role at Blue Origin, with John Elbon stepping in as interim CEO. In August 2026, Mark Peller, who led the Vulcan rocket's development, was appointed as the new permanent CEO.
As of September 23, 2026, the Vulcan Centaur remains grounded for national security missions while the SRB anomaly investigation continues. ULA is actively working towards a return to flight, with the first mission back expected to be a commercial one, likely for Amazon's Project Kuiper, before the end of 2026. The company has a substantial backlog of over 80 missions, including 38 Vulcan launches for Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), and is ramping up production at its Decatur, Alabama facility to meet a target of 18-22 launches in 2026. ULA recently completed a $1.5 billion private bond offering in August 2026, three times its initial target, to refinance debt and fund infrastructure upgrades. Despite persistent rumors of a potential sale by its parent companies, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, ULA remains a joint venture, with both owners reportedly supportive of its future.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if United Launch Alliance (ULA) made different choices?