ULA Upgrades Vulcan Rocket to Tackle SpaceX in Satellite Launch Market

Published 6 hours agoBA

ULA Upgrades Vulcan Rocket to Tackle SpaceX in Satellite Launch Market

United Launch Alliance (ULA), a collaborative effort between aerospace giants Boeing and Lockheed Martin, is set to upgrade its Vulcan rocket to boost its competitive edge against SpaceX's formidable Starship in the low Earth orbit satellite launch sector. This strategic enhancement aims to augment the Vulcan's payload capacity, positioning ULA to effectively rival SpaceX, according to a report by Reuters.

The U.S. Space Force granted ULA's Vulcan rocket a crucial certification in March 2025, clearing it to launch national security satellites. This certification marks a pivotal milestone for ULA, reinforcing its presence and capabilities in the defense contract market. Such endorsements are essential as the company seeks to affirm its reliability and performance in meeting high-stakes national security requirements.

In a further display of the evolving competitive landscape, the U.S. Space Force has recently awarded significant contracts totaling $13.5 billion to SpaceX, ULA, and Blue Origin for national security space launches. These developments underscore the fiercely competitive dynamics within the aerospace sector, as companies vie for contracts that shape the future of satellite launches and national defense operations.

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