ULA VULCAN LAUNCH OF USSF-106, Aug 12, 2025, CCSFS, 7:59-8:59 pm ET

Update, August 10: ULA was finally given permission to share the launch time/window: 7:59-8:59 pm ET. The weather remains 75% “go.”  ULA’s live broadcast will begin at 7:39 pm ET.  Text updates are being posted already at https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/vulcan-ussf-106.

Update, August 8:  ULA says that it is not allowed to disclose the launch time or launch window, but the weather forecast is 75 percent “go.”

Internet searches produce two different times for the launch — 7:59 pm ET and 8:07 pm ET — but we will keep it as TBA until an official announcement is made.

Original Entry: The United Launch Alliance (ULA) will launch its first national security mission for the U.S. Space Force (USSF), USSF-106, on August 12, 2025 from Space Launch Complex-41 (SLC-41) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), Florida.  USSF-106, with Navigation Technology Satellite-3, will be launched directly into geosynchronous orbit.

Vulcan is ULA’s newest rocket and is replacing the Delta IV (which has already flown its last flight) and Atlas V (which still has a few launches remaining).  Vulcan had to fly two successful missions before USSF would certify it for national security missions. The first Vulcan was completely successful in January 2024. The second, in October 2024, experienced an anomaly with a Solid Rocket Booster (SRB). USSF certified Vulcan in March 2025.