Atlas V Completes Final National Security Mission, Marking End of Russian Engine Era

Insider Brief:

• United Launch Alliance successfully launched its final national security mission using an Atlas V rocket on July 30, 2024, marking the end of an era for the use of Russian-made engines in U.S. military space missions.
• ULA is now shifting its focus to the next-generation Vulcan rocket, which uses domestically produced engines as the company transitions to all-American launchers for national security missions.
• While this marks the final national security mission for the Atlas V, the rocket still has 15 more commercial and non-defense missions scheduled, including crewed launches.
• ULA’s next major step is the second certification flight of the Vulcan rocket, planned for September 2024.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched its final national security mission using an Atlas V rocket on July 30, 2024. The launch, which took place at 6:45 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, reportedly marked the end of an era for the use of Russian-made engines in U.S. military space missions.

The Atlas V rocket carried the classified USSF-51 payload for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command. This mission was the 100th national security launch for ULA since its formation in 2006, highlighting the company’s long-standing partnership with the U.S. military.

The launch represents a significant milestone in the transition to all-American launchers for national security missions. ULA is now shifting its focus to the next-generation Vulcan rocket, which uses domestically produced engines.

Gary Wentz, ULA’s vice president of Government and Commercial Programs, discussed the importance of this partnership, stating, “We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue building on this trusted partnership and take very seriously the responsibility of promptly launching essential National Security Space satellite assets to orbit.”

While this marks the final national security mission for the Atlas V, the rocket still has 15 more commercial and non-defense missions scheduled, including crewed launches.

ULA’s next major step is the second certification flight of the Vulcan rocket, planned for September 2024. The company is also preparing to launch two critical National Security Space missions, USSF-106 and USSF-87, later this year using the Vulcan platform.

Image credit: ULA