USSF-87
Vulcan VC4S
United Launch Alliance
Rocket Launch Videos
Weather Forecast During Launch
According to weather officials, there's a 95% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. Officials are monitoring weather conditions with concerns related to Cumulus Cloud Rule.
Trajectory
View comprehensive details including the rocket's trajectory, velocity, altitude, thrust, and more at FlightClub.io.
Rocket Launch Timeline
Enhance your rocket launch experience with a detailed timeline! From pre-launch preparations to post-launch milestones, a well-structured schedule ensures every step—payload prep, safety checks, and liftoff—runs smoothly. Stay informed and follow the action with precision.
| T- 00 : 00 : 00 | Ignition Start of the engine ignition sequence |
| T+ 00 : 00 : 01 | Liftoff First upwards movement of the rocket |
| T+ 00 : 00 : 00 | Supersonic Vehicle is supersonic |
| T+ 00 : 01 : 00 | Max-Q Maximum dynamic pressure |
| T+ 00 : 01 : 00 | SRB Separation The solid rocket boosters are separated from the launcher. |
| T+ 00 : 04 : 00 | MECO Cut-off of the main engine |
| T+ 00 : 05 : 00 | Stage 2 Separation Separation of the second stage from the first |
| T+ 00 : 05 : 00 | SES-1 First start of the second engine |
| T+ 00 : 05 : 00 | Fairing Separation Separation of the payload fairing |
Mission
USSF-87
- Type: Government/Top Secret
- Orbit: Geostationary Orbit
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.
Location
Space Launch Complex 41
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Find the best place to watch the launch from Florida
Space Launch Complex 41 has witnessed the launch of 121 rockets, including 121 orbital launch attempts. While Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA, has been the site for 1091 rocket launches.
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
Rocket
United Launch Alliance Vulcan VC4S
Vulcan Centaur is a two-stage-to-orbit, heavy-lift launch vehicle under development by United Launch Alliance (ULA) since 2014. It is principally designed to meet launch demands for the U.S. government's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program for use by the United States Space Force and U.S. intelligence agencies for national security satellite launches. It will replace both of ULA's existing launchers (Atlas V and Delta IV Heavy) in this role, as these launchers are retiring.
Agency
United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. ULA launches from both coasts of the US. They launch their Atlas V vehicle from LC-41 in Cape Canaveral and LC-3E at Vandeberg. Their Delta IV launches from LC-37 at Cape Canaveral and LC-6 at Vandenberg.
