Latest news with #USSF106
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Vulcan Rocket Ushers in New Era of National Security Space Launch
First National Security Space Launch aboard Vulcan rocket deliversUSSF-106 spacecraft directly to GEO CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla., Aug. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket carrying the USSF-106 mission for the United States Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) lifted off on Aug. 12 at 8:56 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This mission marks the first National Security Space Launch aboard the next-generation Vulcan rocket. "National security begins at liftoff," said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. "Vulcan did exactly what it was built to do: deliver a critical mission with power, precision and confidence. We are proud to play a role in strengthening the nation's space capabilities." Standing at 202 feet tall and weighing 1.74 million pounds, the Vulcan configuration is enabled by the powerful Centaur V upper stage, which has 2.5 times the energy and 450 times the endurance of its predecessors. Centaur V delivered the USSF-106 spacecraft directly to the Geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). "Vulcan is a catalyst to supporting national defense in the strategic warfighting domain of space," said Tory Bruno, ULA president and CEO. "Vulcan is the world's most capable, high energy orbit rocket meeting the demand for expanding space competencies. Vulcan provides flexibility to our nation's decision makers as we combat our adversaries attempts to disrupt the U.S. in space operations. This launch begins a new era in national space security." ULA has served as the launch backbone for our past national security space missions having successfully launched nearly all of the 132 critical missions to orbit for the U.S. Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office since the company's founding in 2006. This legacy, built on Atlas V, Delta II and Delta IV rockets, now continues with Vulcan. ULA's next launch is the third Atlas mission for Amazon's Project Kuiper, Kuiper 3, which will launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. For two decades, ULA has served as the custodian of America's national security space mission. Our rockets fly to the most challenging and exotic orbits the nation requires, while delivering the most accurate payload insertions in the world. ULA continues to carry this unique capability forward with the new Vulcan rocket, the latest and most advanced vehicle of this type. Utilizing an innovative, modular architectural approach, Vulcan has expanded into the commercial LEO marketplace, providing efficient access to all orbits into the foreseeable future. With even more innovative technology on our horizon, the sky is definitely not the limit. For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at and join the conversation on social media @ulalaunch. Mission WebpageMission Photo Album View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE United Launch Alliance (ULA) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
UPI
6 days ago
- Science
- UPI
ULA Vulcan rocket to launch first national security mission
1 of 2 | A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket prepares Monday to launch a classified payload, known as USSF-106, for the United States Space Force from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The launch is scheduled for Tuesday evening. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo Aug. 11 (UPI) -- A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket is gearing up to launch a classified national security payload Tuesday night for the United States Space Force. The ULA Vulcan rocket, which is being prepped for liftoff from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, will launch the USSF-106 mission into space between 7:59 p.m. and 8:59 p.m. EDT on Tuesday. The Vulcan rocket rolled out to the launch pad earlier Monday, as seen in a ULA post on X. This marks the first national security launch aboard a Vulcan rocket, which will carry the Navigation Technology Satellite-3. NTS-3 is the Defense Department's first navigation satellite in nearly five decades. The satellite is managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory and, once in orbit, will protect GPS technology and critical infrastructure from threats of jamming. "We are excited to be here today, a historic point in our program history," said Col. Jim Horne, USSF, mission director and senior material leader, Space Systems Command. "We officially end our reliance on Russian-made rocket engines with this launch," Horne added. "And we continue to maintain our assured access to space with at least two independent rocket service companies that we can leverage to get our capabilities on orbit." For anyone interested in viewing Tuesday's launch, ULA has been keeping track of visibility. "Wondering if you can see the Vulcan rocket launch? This visibility map shows when and where your best chances are to see USSF106 as it lifts off Tuesday evening from Cape Canaveral," ULA wrote in a separate post. Wondering if you can see the #VulcanRocket launch? This visibility map shows when and where your best chances are to see #USSF106 as it lifts off Tuesday evening from Cape Canaveral during a window of 7:59 to 8:59 p.m. EDT (2359-0059 UTC). Stay up-to-date with the countdown and... ULA (@ulalaunch) August 11, 2025 And for anyone not able to see it in person, a live broadcast of the launch is scheduled to begin about 20 minutes before liftoff.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
ULA Florida rocket launch: Where to watch liftoff from Daytona, New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill
It's almost showtime for the mighty Vulcan — and people in Volusia County may be able to see it. Last week, United Launch Alliance delivered a hard launch — social media speak for heavy promotion — of its Vulcan rocket, which will send two U.S. national security satellites to space this week from Cape Canaveral, Florida. On Aug. 7, the space agency released a movie poster promoting the ULA Vulcan rocket launch complete with taglines, "Precision. Power. Purpose." and "national security begins at liftoff." The company released a movie trailer that day, too. The movie poster, movie trailer and mission patch, for the "ULA Vulcan USSF-106" mission feature a strong, god-like figure wielding a hammer (like Marvel's Thor), all with the same message: Coming soon, Aug. 12, 2025. A day ahead of liftoff, ULA continued with its heavy social media promotion, posting photos and video of the rocket rollout to the launch pad. When ULA launches its massive rocket, depending on cloud cover, Floridians (and visitors) as far as Jacksonville and Palm Beach County may be able see it light up the sky after liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. ➤ Business is booming: Florida's Space Coast is one of fastest-growing economies in U.S. In Florida, you can best see the ULA Vulcan rocket launch in person, particularly if you're anywhere on the Space Coast (Melbourne, Florida, area), the Fun Coast (Daytona Beach area) or the Treasure Coast (Vero Beach, Jensen Beach and Fort Pierce). When there's a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, there's an opportunity for unique photos — the rocket lights up the dark sky and the contrail after makes for a great photo. Below is more information about the rocket launch in Florida and suggestions on where to watch them from here. Rocket launch tally: Here's a list of all 2025 missions from Cape Canaveral, Florida (psst, there's a lot) For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@ or Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@ For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit Tom Cruise and untitled SpaceX project: 'Mission: Impossible' star who lives in Florida may shoot a film in outer space When is the next rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida? Tuesday, August 12: United Launch Alliance USSF-106 Mission: Equipped with four solid rocket boosters, ULA's third Vulcan rocket will launch two U.S. national security satellites into geosynchronous orbit more than 22,000 miles above Earth. Launch window: 7:59 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. ET Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025 Trajectory: Due east Launch location: Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida Live coverage starts two hours before liftoff at : You can watch live rocket launch coverage from USA TODAY Network's Space Team, which consists of FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visuals journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide up-to-the-minute updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock, at starting two hours before liftoff. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play, or type into your browser. ULA Vulcan rocket launch photos in Florida: How big is Vulcan? Live weather radar: Will it rain in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, Florida, today? Will weather cancel a rocket launch? Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows conditions in real-time for the Space Coast, Brevard County, Orlando and other parts of Florida. The current date and time show up on the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache. Where to see Florida rocket launch in Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach area In Volusia County, immediately north of Brevard County — home to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — you can get a great view of a SpaceX, NASA or United Launch Alliance rocket launch. The best views to watch a rocket launch from here are along the beach. Look due south. Recommended spots: • South New Smyrna Beach (Canaveral National Seashore) • Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park, 6656 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Bethune Beach is 3.5 miles south of New Smyrna Beach and one mile north of the Apollo Beach entrance to Canaveral National Seashore Park. • Apollo Beach at Canaveral National Seashore (south of New Smyrna Beach). Canaveral National Seashore runs along Florida's East Coast in Volusia County and Brevard County. To access Apollo Beach, take Interstate 95 to exit 249, then travel east until it turns into State Road A1A. Follow SR A1A south to the park entrance. • Oak Hill riverfront is the southernmost city in South Volusia County. • Sunrise Park, 275 River Road, Oak Hill • Goodrich's Seafood and Oyster House back deck, 253 River Road, Oak Hill • Seminole Rest national historic site, 211 River Road, Oak Hill • Riverbreeze Park, 250 H.H. Burch Road, Oak Hill • Mary Dewees Park, 178 N. Gaines St., Oak Hill • Nancy Cummings Park, 232 Cummings St., Oak Hill • Jimmie Vann Sunrise Park, 275 River Road, Oak Hill • A.C. Delbert Dewees Municipal Pier, 243 River Road, Oak Hill • Bird Observation Pier on River Road across from A.C. Delbert Municipal Pier (see above) • Rose Bay in Port Orange, Florida • beaches along New Smyrna Beach, Florida • New Smyrna Beach Inlet, New Smyrna Beach lifeguard station • Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona Beach, Florida • Ormond-by-the-Sea in Ormond Beach, Florida • George R. Kennedy Memorial Park in Edgewater, Florida Rocket launches from Cape Canaveral spotted in other parts of Florida The video playlists below include videos of SpaceX, NASA and United Launch Alliance rocket launches spotted in the sky far beyond the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, including Stuart, Jupiter and West Palm Beach. Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Rocket launch in Florida: When to watch in Daytona, New Smyrna Beach Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
ULA Florida rocket launch: Where to watch liftoff from Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach
It's almost showtime for the mighty Vulcan — and it's possible people in Duval County can see this so Florida phenomenon. Last week, United Launch Alliance delivered a hard launch — social media speak for heavy promotion — of its Vulcan rocket, which will send two U.S. national security satellites to space this week from Cape Canaveral, Florida. On Aug. 7, the space agency released a movie poster promoting the ULA Vulcan rocket launch complete with taglines, "Precision. Power. Purpose." and "national security begins at liftoff." The company released a movie trailer that day, too. The movie poster, movie trailer and mission patch, for the "ULA Vulcan USSF-106" mission feature a strong, god-like figure wielding a hammer (like Marvel's Thor), all with the same message: Coming soon, Aug. 12, 2025. A day ahead of liftoff, ULA continued with its heavy social media promotion, posting photos and video of the rocket rollout to the launch pad. When ULA launches its massive rocket, depending on cloud cover, Floridians (and visitors) as far as Jacksonville and Palm Beach County may be able see it light up the sky after liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. ➤ Business is booming: Florida's Space Coast is one of fastest-growing economies in U.S. In Florida, you can best see the ULA Vulcan rocket launch in person, particularly if you're anywhere on the Space Coast (Melbourne, Florida, area), the Fun Coast (Daytona Beach area) or the Treasure Coast (Vero Beach, Jensen Beach and Fort Pierce). When there's a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, there's an opportunity for unique photos — the rocket lights up the dark sky and the contrail after makes for a great photo. Below is more information about the rocket launch in Florida and suggestions on where to watch them from here. Rocket launch tally: Here's a list of all 2025 missions from Cape Canaveral, Florida (psst, there's a lot) For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@ or Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@ For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit Tom Cruise and untitled SpaceX project: 'Mission: Impossible' star who lives in Florida may shoot a film in outer space When is the next rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida? Tuesday, August 12: United Launch Alliance USSF-106 Mission: Equipped with four solid rocket boosters, ULA's third Vulcan rocket will launch two U.S. national security satellites into geosynchronous orbit more than 22,000 miles above Earth. Launch window: 7:59 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. ET Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025 Trajectory: Due east Launch location: Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida Live coverage starts two hours before liftoff at : You can watch live rocket launch coverage from USA TODAY Network's Space Team, which consists of FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visuals journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide up-to-the-minute updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock, at starting two hours before liftoff. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play, or type into your browser. ULA Vulcan rocket launch photos in Florida: How big is Vulcan? Live weather radar: Will it rain in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, Florida, today? Will weather cancel a rocket launch? Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows conditions in real-time for the Space Coast, Brevard County, Orlando and other parts of Florida. The current date and time show up on the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache. Where to see SpaceX liftoff in Jacksonville, can you see a rocket launch from Duval County, Florida? Depending on trajectory, weather and cloud cover, there have been sightings of a SpaceX Falcon 9, SpaceX Falcon Heavy or United Launch Alliance Delta Heavy rocket launch over the skies of Jacksonville, Florida, which is north of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Where to see a rocket launch in Jacksonville, Florida, area: St. Augustine, Florida, which is less than an hour away Jacksonville Beach, Florida Neptune Beach, Florida Atlantic Beach and West Atlantic Beach, Florida Mayport, Florida Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, which touches south Jacksonville Beach ULA rocket launches from Cape Canaveral spotted in other parts of Florida The video playlists below include videos of United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches spotted in the sky far beyond the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, including Stuart, Jupiter and West Palm Beach. Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Rocket launch in Florida: Where to watch in Jacksonville, St Augustine Solve the daily Crossword
