The telemetry visualization compares the two Vulcan VC4 launches with USSF-87 shown on the left and USSF-106 shown on the right.

The telemetry shown in the visualization is taken close to BECO for both the USSF-87 and USSF-106 Vulcan VC4 launches.

United Launch Alliance observed an issue early during flight on one of the vehicle's four solid rocket motors and is reviewing the flight data.

The vehicle used four solid rocket motors.

During the flight, the booster, upper stage, and spacecraft continued to perform on a nominal trajectory.

Two solid rocket booster (SRB) nozzle incidents occurred on United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, one during the USSF-87 mission and one during the Cert-2 launch.

A side-by-side comparison image labels the USSF-87 SRB nozzle incident on the left and the Cert-2 SRB nozzle incident on the right.

The GEM63 propellant mass is 97,500 lb (44,200 kg).

The GEM63XL maximum thrust is approximately 25% higher than the GEM63 maximum thrust.

The GEM63 solid rocket motor has a maximum thrust of 370,835 lbf.

The GEM63 total length is 791 inches (2,009 cm).

The GEM63 and GEM63XL motor diameters are both 63 inches (160 cm).

The GEM63XL propellant mass is 105,900 lb (48,000 kg).

The GEM63XL total mass is 117,700 pounds (53,400 kg).

Vulcan uses GEM63XL solid rocket boosters while Atlas uses GEM63 solid rocket boosters.

The GEM63XL burn time is 87.3 seconds.

The GEM63XL total length is 864 inches (2,195 cm).

The GEM63 total mass is 108,600 pounds (49,300 kg).

The GEM63 burn time is 97.6 seconds.

The GEM63 exit plane diameter is 54 inches (137 cm).

The GEM63XL exit plane diameter is 56 inches (142 cm).

The GEM63XL solid rocket motor has a maximum thrust of 463,249 lbf.

Thermal blanket plates detaching at liftoff can appear as debris in launch imagery.

Smart Dragon-3 launches include thermal blanket plates on the payload section that are designed to fall off at liftoff.

Thermal blanket plates keep the payload section at the correct temperature.

SpaceLens captured a photo sequence from a ship showing the last minutes before liftoff of the SD-3.

SpaceLens deployed a team at sea to cover the SD-3 launch.

Thermal protection shields separating from a rocket during flight is a planned and normal occurrence.

The Vulcan launch vehicle rolled during ascent to orbit.

On Feb 12, 2026 Max Q Productions captured a tracking video south of the launch site showing the Vulcan vehicle rolling during its ride to orbit.

United Launch Alliance’s 2026 launch queue comprises 2 to 4 Atlas missions and 16 to 18 Vulcan missions.

United Launch Alliance has 18 to 22 launches in its queue for 2026.

Atlas 63XL Delta II-style nosecones may add extra force to the inside of the nozzle near max Q.

Atlas 63 had an asymmetrical nosecone aligned with the nozzles in a slightly outward direction.

Atlas 63XL uses Delta II-style nosecones.

The payloads on the Vulcan launch included a "neighborhood watch" mission intended to patrol the strategic high ground of geosynchronous orbit.

United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket successfully launched national security spacecraft into geosynchronous orbit.

A solid rocket motor performance anomaly affected the Cert-2 SRB during the Vulcan launch.

The Vulcan booster and Centaur upper stage performed nominally and delivered the spacecraft directly to the intended orbit despite the Cert-2 SRB anomaly.

Gary Wentz is the United Launch Alliance vice president of Atlas and Vulcan Programs.

One of the four solid rocket motors on a Vulcan vehicle experienced a significant performance anomaly early during flight.

United Launch Alliance will conduct a thorough investigation, identify the root cause of the anomaly, and implement corrective actions before the next Vulcan mission.

The Vulcan booster and Centaur delivered the spacecraft directly to geosynchronous orbit despite the solid rocket motor anomaly.

An integrated U.S. government and contractor team is reviewing technical data and available imagery and is establishing a recovery team to collect any debris from the mission.

The first pictures of the VA267 liftoff are credited to the European Space Agency and M. Pédoussau.

ESA photographer M. Pédoussau took the first pictures of the VA267 liftoff.

The VA267 launch experienced liftoff on February 12, 2026.

The NSSL launch of USSF-87 on February 12, 2026 was successful.

The NSSL launch of USSF-87 delivered the GSSAP payload to support U.S. Space Command’s space surveillance operations and enhance space domain awareness.

The delivery of GSSAP on USSF-87 strengthens U.S. national security.