United Launch AllianceVulcan VC4SSpace Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
USSF-87
Launched
February 12, 2026 · 09:22 UTC
Image: United Launch Alliance
Summary
USSF-87 launched on an United Launch Alliance Vulcan VC4S from Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on February 12, 2026 at 09:22 UTC. The launch window ran from 08:30 to 10:30 UTC. It was United Launch Alliance's 171st launch, 1st this year and humanity's 7,205th orbital launch attempt. It was the 2nd Vulcan VC4S flight and the 1st this year. The payload was bound for Geostationary Orbit (Direct-GEO). 5 objects from this launch are catalogued, 3 of them payloads.
- Watch
- Rocket Launch: Vulcan USSF-87United Launch Alliance
- Watch live: ULA to launch geosynchronous orbit warning spacecraft for U.S. Space ForceSpaceflight Now
- ULA Vulcan VC4S launches USSF-87NASASpaceflight
- Vehicle
- Vulcan VC4S · United Launch Alliance
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Government/Top Secret · Geostationary Orbit (Direct-GEO)for USSF
- Milestone
- 2nd Vulcan VC4S flight · 1st this yearUnited Launch Alliance's 171st launch1st this yearhumanity's 7,205th orbital launch attempt32nd orbital launch attempt this year
Webcast
Flight preview
Simulate in Flight ClubFlight timeline
- T−4.9SIgnition
- T+1SLiftoff
- T+47.2SSupersonic
- T+1M2.5SMax-Q
- T+1M37.2SSRB Separation
- T+4M57.5SMECO
- T+5M3.5SStage 2 Separation
- T+5M13.5SSES-1
- T+5M21.5SFairing Separation
Catalogued objects
5 catalogued: 3 payloads, 1 rocket stage, 1 component; 5 still in orbit
- USA 582 · NORAD 67759 · in orbit
- USA 583 · NORAD 67760 · in orbit
- USA 584 · NORAD 67761 · in orbit
Centaur V-005 · in orbit
Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org
About this launch
USSF-87 will launch two identical Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites GSSAP-7 and GSSAP-8 directly to a near-geosynchronous orbit approximately 36,000 km above the equator. Data from the GSSAP will uniquely contribute to timely and accurate orbital predictions, further enabling space flight safety including satellite collision avoidance.
News
Pad
Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
121st launch from Space Launch Complex 41, 1st this year · 1,084th from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Local pad time at liftoff: Feb 12, 4:22 AM EST, at night
125 launches from this pad · 1,131 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
58 days after the previous launch from this pad
Updates
Launch success.
Show 9 earlier updates
Liftoff!
hitura-nobad · 2/12/2026 · source
Official Webcast by United Launch Alliance has started
LL2 · 2/12/2026 · source
New T-0 09:22 UTC
hitura-nobad · 2/12/2026 · source
Updated launch weather, 95% GO.
Cosmic_Penguin · 2/11/2026 · source
Updated launch weather, 95% GO.
Cosmic_Penguin · 2/10/2026 · source
Updated launch window.
Cosmic_Penguin · 2/9/2026 · source
Added launch window.
Cosmic_Penguin · 2/4/2026 · source
Delayed to NET February 12.
Cosmic_Penguin · 1/26/2026 · source
Changed rocket configuration.
Cosmic_Penguin · 1/7/2026 · source
Questions
When did USSF-87 launch?
USSF-87 launched on February 12, 2026 at 09:22 UTC. The launch window ran from 08:30 to 10:30 UTC.
Where can I watch USSF-87?
Coverage: Rocket Launch: Vulcan USSF-87; Watch live: ULA to launch geosynchronous orbit warning spacecraft for U.S. Space Force; ULA Vulcan VC4S launches USSF-87. Watch the replay
What rocket launched USSF-87?
Vulcan VC4S, flown by United Launch Alliance. Vulcan VC4S spec sheet
Where did USSF-87 launch from?
Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA. Liftoff was Feb 12, 4:22 AM EST local time at the pad.
What orbit was USSF-87 going to?
Geostationary Orbit (Direct-GEO), a government/top secret mission.
How many satellites did USSF-87 launch?
3 payloads from this launch are catalogued, 3 of them still in orbit (Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org).