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ULA Launching First U.S. National Security Mission From Florida's Space Coast
The mission tests advanced navigation technology to enhance GPS resilience and security, ending reliance on Russian engines as mandated by Congress, USSF officials said.
- On August 12, 2025, United Launch Alliance conducted the launch of its most powerful Vulcan Centaur rocket from Space Launch Complex-41, carrying the USSF-106 payload for a U.S. Space Force mission.
- The mission follows the U.S. Space Force's aim to replace the Atlas V, which relied on Russian engines, with a domestically powered Vulcan rocket certified for national security launches.
- The primary payload, Navigation Technology Satellite-3, features advanced phased array antennas to combat GPS jamming and spoofing, supporting over 100 experiments while in geosynchronous orbit.
- Andrew Builta called the satellite’s ability to focus powerful beams and resist jamming “a truly game-changing capability,” and launch weather had an 80% chance of favorable conditions.
- This launch marks the end of U.S. dependence on Russian-made engines for national security operations and ensures reliable space launch capabilities through the availability of two separate certified providers.
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Total News Sources26
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution73% Center
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources are Center
73% Center
L 20%
C 73%
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