United Launch Alliance Atlas V operations and transition to Vulcan (2006–2023)

1. United Launch Alliance begins operations

   Dec 1, 2006Labels: United Launch, Boeing, Lockheed Martin

   United Launch Alliance (ULA) began operations as a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, combining their U.S. government Atlas and Delta launch activities. The merger was meant to keep “assured access to space” by maintaining a strong launch capability for national security and civil missions. This set the organizational foundation for Atlas V operations under ULA and, later, a transition to a new launch vehicle.

   • Lockheed PR
   • ULA

2. ULA conducts first Atlas V launch (STP-1)

   Mar 8, 2007Labels: Atlas V, STP-1, U S

   ULA’s first Atlas V launch carried the U.S. Air Force Space Test Program-1 (STP-1) mission, deploying multiple satellites. The mission mattered because it marked Atlas V’s transition into regular ULA operations for U.S. government launches. It also demonstrated the ability to fly multiple payloads on one rocket, supporting more flexible mission planning.

   • ULA News

3. Atlas V makes first launch from Vandenberg

   Mar 13, 2008Labels: Vandenberg, Atlas V

   Atlas V successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base (now Vandenberg Space Force Base) for the first time. This was important because it expanded Atlas V operations beyond Florida, enabling polar and high-inclination orbits commonly used for reconnaissance missions. Operating from both coasts increased scheduling flexibility for ULA and government customers.

   • Vandenberg

4. Atlas V launches X-37B OTV-1 spaceplane

   Apr 22, 2010Labels: X-37B, Atlas V

   ULA launched the first X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle mission (OTV-1) on an Atlas V 501. The flight helped establish Atlas V as a trusted option for sensitive national security payloads, including unusual spacecraft with unique integration and mission needs. It also demonstrated Atlas V’s ability to support experimental programs that later became recurring launches.

   • OTV 1
   • Boeing X 37

5. Atlas V launches first AEHF secure communications satellite

   Aug 14, 2010Labels: AEHF-1, Atlas V

   Atlas V launched AEHF-1, the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite, which supports secure, jam-resistant military communications. This was a key national security milestone because AEHF is designed for high survivability and global coverage. The mission reinforced Atlas V’s role for high-value payloads requiring reliable access to specific orbits.

   • AEHF
   • USA 214

6. Atlas V launches NASA’s Juno mission to Jupiter

   Aug 5, 2011Labels: Juno, Atlas V

   Atlas V launched NASA’s Juno spacecraft toward Jupiter. This highlighted Atlas V’s utility beyond defense missions, supporting deep-space science that requires precise performance and high energy. Successful planetary launches helped maintain confidence in Atlas V while ULA’s long-term replacement plans were still developing.

   • NASA Juno
   • Juno

7. Atlas V launches Curiosity rover (Mars Science Laboratory)

   Nov 26, 2011Labels: Curiosity, Mars Science, Atlas V

   Atlas V launched NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission, carrying the Curiosity rover. The launch was significant because Mars missions have narrow launch windows and high mission stakes, requiring strong reliability and careful integration. The success added to Atlas V’s reputation as a go-to vehicle for demanding civil space missions.

   • MSL

8. RD-180 injunction lifted amid Ukraine sanctions dispute

   May 8, 2014Labels: RD-180, U S

   During a legal dispute connected to U.S. sanctions on Russia after the Ukraine crisis, a court issued and then lifted a preliminary injunction affecting ULA’s purchase of RD-180 engines (used on Atlas V). The episode mattered because Atlas V depended on RD-180 supply, and the controversy increased pressure to move toward a U.S.-made engine. It accelerated the business and policy push for a next-generation rocket.

   • ULA Injunction
   • CRS Report

9. ULA publicly unveils Vulcan as Atlas V successor

   Apr 13, 2015Labels: Vulcan, United Launch

   ULA publicly unveiled Vulcan, describing it as the future rocket intended to replace both Atlas V and Delta IV. The announcement connected technical change to a clear operational goal: reduce dependence on the Russian RD-180 and modernize the fleet for competition and evolving national security requirements. It marked the formal start of the transition story from Atlas V operations to Vulcan.

   • DefenseNews

10. ULA selects Blue Origin BE-4 engine for Vulcan

    Sep 27, 2018Labels: BE-4, Blue Origin, Vulcan

    ULA selected Blue Origin’s BE-4 engine to power Vulcan’s first stage. This decision was a major turning point because it set the propulsion path for replacing the RD-180 and shaped Vulcan’s schedule and industrial base. It also tied Vulcan’s readiness to progress in BE-4 testing and production.

    • Blue Origin

11. Atlas V launches Perseverance rover for Mars 2020

    Jul 30, 2020Labels: Perseverance, Mars 2020, Atlas V

    Atlas V launched NASA’s Mars 2020 mission carrying the Perseverance rover. The launch demonstrated that Atlas V remained a high-confidence vehicle for major science missions even late in its life. It also illustrated ULA’s “operate while transitioning” challenge: continuing Atlas V service while building Vulcan in parallel.

    • NASA Release

12. Vulcan Centaur makes first flight (Cert-1)

    Jan 8, 2024Labels: Vulcan Centaur, Peregrine

    Vulcan Centaur flew for the first time, launching Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander. The successful rocket flight was a key step toward replacing Atlas V, especially for future national security missions that required moving away from RD-180 dependence. Even though the lander later had its own spacecraft problem, Vulcan’s first launch demonstrated the new vehicle’s basic launch capability.

    • Astrobotic
    • Vulcan

13. Delta IV Heavy program ends as Vulcan transition accelerates

    Apr 9, 2024Labels: Delta IV, NROL-70

    The NROL-70 launch flew on the final Delta IV Heavy, marking the end of the Delta program under ULA. With Delta retired, ULA’s transition focused on completing Vulcan’s certification and shifting remaining missions off legacy vehicles. This event narrowed ULA’s operational portfolio, making Vulcan’s ramp-up more urgent.

    • NRO

14. Atlas V launches USSF-51, last Atlas national security mission

    Jul 30, 2024Labels: USSF-51, Atlas V

    Atlas V launched the USSF-51 mission, described as the last national security launch using an Atlas-family rocket. This was a clear operational closing marker for Atlas V’s role in U.S. national security space, after years of high-priority missions. It also signaled that Vulcan was intended to take over this mission category going forward.

    • NASASpaceflight