United Launch Alliance plans November return to flight for Vulcan rocket

United Launch Alliance announced on Wednesday that it plans to return its Vulcan rocket to service on November 13, 2026. Ars Technica, Aviation Week, Air & Space Forces Magazine, UA.NEWS, and Florida Today all reported on the planned launch date. The mission will lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, pending range approval. [1][2][3][4][5]

As reported by Ars Technica and UA.NEWS, the return to flight mission will carry 40 satellites for the Amazon Leo broadband constellation. Amazon has booked 38 Vulcan flights to deploy the majority of its network. Ars Technica noted that this launch will be the first Vulcan mission to use a full complement of six solid rocket boosters. [1][4]

The launch follows a nine month pause caused by a solid rocket booster anomaly, according to Ars Technica, Air & Space Forces Magazine, and Florida Today. Ars Technica reported that the rocket experienced nozzle failures on its solid rocket boosters during two of its first four missions. [1][3][5]

The Vulcan Centaur is a heavy lift, two stage launch vehicle developed to replace the Atlas V and Delta IV rockets. It was designed to meet the requirements of the National Security Space Launch program while also offering commercial launch services. [6]