ULA, Northrop address rocket booster failure during successful launch

United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched its next-generation Vulcan rocket on October 4 in the second of two certification flights required for national security missions.

One of two solid-propellant strap-on boosters provided by Northrop Grumman suffered an anomaly of some sort during the climb out of the lower atmosphere, but the Vulcan managed to continue on into orbit.

What impact the issue might have on the Vulcan’s certification is not yet known, but ULA CEO Tory Bruno said it will be investigated.

“The trajectory was nominal throughout,” he said on the company’s launch webcast. “We did, however have an observation on SRB No. 1, so we will be off looking at that after the mission is complete.”

No other details were provided.

Bruno confirmed the issue with the right-side solid rocket booster (SRB) but noted that the Vulcan maintained its trajectory.

“We had an observation on SRB No. 1, so we will be reviewing that after the mission,” Bruno said, leaving open the question of how this might affect Vulcan’s final certification.

Despite the booster issue, the Vulcan successfully completed the mission’s primary objectives, including demonstrating the capabilities of its advanced Centaur 5 upper stage. The anomaly’s impact on future national security missions is still under review, but the Vulcan remains central to ULA’s strategy as it transitions from the Atlas and Delta rocket families.

With more than 70 missions already booked, including two critical Space Force launches later this year, ULA aims to secure its position as a competitive player in the evolving space industry, alongside rivals like SpaceX.