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ЦитироватьUSSF-87 (GSSAP 7 & 8 )
Liftoff Time
No Earlier Than January, 2026

Mission Details
GSSAP 7 & 8 (USSF-87)
Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites are a space-based capability operating in the near-geosynchronous orbit regime supporting U.S. Space Command space surveillance operations as a dedicated Space Surveillance Network (SSN) sensor.
Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman
Operator: United States Space Force
Geostationary Earth Orbit
2 Payloads

Rocket
Vulcan VC4S rocket by United Launch Alliance
...
Launch Site
SLC-41
Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

ЦитироватьULA  @ulalaunch
The next Vulcan rocket is reporting for duty! The USSF-87 launch campaign is underway for Vulcan's second U.S. national security mission. The Vulcan VC4S will deploy this mission directly to geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) using the high-performance Centaur V upper stage. http://bit.ly/vulcan_ussf87
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/390877.jpg)

ЦитироватьLukas C. H.  @GewoonLukas_
Well that's some great news to end the year on! ULA has started stacking the next Vulcan rocket for their next NSSL mission! This will be USSF-87, which will deploy the GSSAP 7 & 8 satellites (and potentially other payloads as well) directly into GEO.

ЦитироватьULA  @ulalaunch
The launch of a ULA Vulcan rocket carrying the U.S. Space Force (USSF)-87 mission for the United States Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) is targeting Monday, Feb. 2, from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, pending range approval.
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/391045.jpg)
·
This is the second national security space launch aboard the certified Vulcan rocket. The Vulcan rocket will deploy the multi-manifested USSF-87 mission directly to geosynchronous (GEO) orbit using the high-performance Centaur V upperstage.
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ULA continues to be a steadfast partner to the Space Force, fulfilling the rigorous, unique requirements needed to launch tremendous capabilities into space for national defense and the protection of our nation's allies around the world.

ЦитироватьULA  @ulalaunch
The USSF-87 launch campaign underway at Cape Canaveral is the first Vulcan to use the more-efficient Offsite Vertical Integration (OVI) process to pre-assemble the interstage with Centaur V. This procedure, which originated on the Atlas V program to reduce the number of days spent processing a rocket, will streamline Vulcan operations and help quicken the pace to prepare the next-generation rocket for flight.

Follow mission progress: http://bit.ly/vulcan_ussf87
Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCFgay
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/391197.jpg)

ЦитироватьULA  @ulalaunch
The launch of a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket carrying the U.S. Space Force (USSF)-87 mission for the United States Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) is delayed to no earlier than (NET) Thursday, Feb. 12, from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, pending range approval. The team is continuing processing and working around weather and constraints prior to launch.
http://bit.ly/vulcan_ussf87

Цитата: Demir_Binici от 26.01.2026 23:14:11Запуск планировали на третий квартал 2023 года. (https://www.war.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2530911/contracts-for-mar-9-2021/)

Цитата: zandr от 27.01.2026 06:41:55

Цитата: Demir_Binici от 26.01.2026 23:14:11Запуск планировали на третий квартал 2023 года. (https://www.war.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2530911/contracts-for-mar-9-2021/)

(Не открылось.)
РН или ПН?

ЦитироватьContracts For Mar. 9, 2021
AIR FORCE

United Launch Services LLC, Centennial, Colorado, has been awarded $224,290,000 in firm-fixed-price task orders under the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 contract.  These task orders provide the basic launch services and mission integration for USSF-112 and USSF-87.  Work will be performed in Centennial, Colorado; and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.  Fiscal 2021 space procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award.  The Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8811-21-F-0011 and FA8811-21-F-0012).

Спойлер

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Hawthorne, California, has been awarded two individual firm-fixed-price task orders totaling $159,721,445 under the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 contract.  These task orders provide the basic launch services and mission integration for USSF-36 and NROL-69.  Work will be performed in Hawthorne, California; Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Fiscal 2021 missile and space procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award.  The Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8811-21-F-0009 and FA8811-21-F-0010).

[свернуть]

Цитата: zandr от 27.01.2026 18:27:02Вот! Теперь понятно.

А "the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023" разве в третьем квартале календарного заканчивается?

ЦитироватьLukas C. H.  @GewoonLukas_
ULA is currently rolling out the fairing for USSF-87 to SLC-41 for stacking atop Vulcan! Inside should be 2 GSSAP satellites, as well as an ESPA-ring with smaller payloads. Launch is scheduled for NET Feb. 12, with lift-off reportedly around 08:00 UTC.
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392114.jpg)
 http://nsf.live/spacecoast

ЦитироватьThe Launch Pad  @TLPN_Official
This afternoon the United Launch Alliance rolled out the USSF-87 payload fairing for stacking on Vulcan Centaur at Space Launch Complex 41 ahead of launch later this month.
Launch NET: February 12, 2026
The fairing is expected to be housing two GSSAP (Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program) satellites, along with additional payloads.
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392162.jpg)  (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392163.jpg)
Zac (@Astro_Aubert) for @TLPN_Official

ЦитироватьUSSF-87: Vulcan rocket to set new performance and endurance records
^{February 4, 2026}
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392321.jpg)

The USSF-87 payload is hoisted atop Vulcan at VIF-G. Photo by United Launch Alliance

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392322.webp)
Space is the new battlefield high ground, and the upcoming United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket flight will help to protect U.S. national security orbital assets by launching a "neighborhood watch" surveillance system directly into geosynchronous orbit.

The USSF-87 (https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/vulcan-ussf-87) multi-manifested mission for the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command will launch aboard a Vulcan VC4S rocket on Feb. 12 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. 

The rocket will use four side-mounted solid rocket boosters (SRBs) and a dual-engine Centaur V upper stage to deliver the heavy payload more than 22,000 miles (35,000 km) above the Earth. Vulcan's versatility and purpose-built, high-energy rocket architecture is designed to meet all of the demanding national security requirements of our nation's space launch needs. 

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392323.webp)

The encapsulated payload is transported to VIF-G. Photo by United Launch Alliance

Launching atop the rocket, as the forward spacecraft, is the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) spacecraft built by Northrop Grumman, launching to GEO with an ascending node injection to improve our ability to rapidly detect, warn, characterize and attribute disturbances to space systems in the geosynchronous environment. The Aft SV, provided by Northrop Grumman, is a propulsed ESPA flying multiple payloads launching into a direct inject GEO orbit.
USSF-87 is the heaviest payload yet carried by Vulcan and ULA's next-generation rocket's longest launch to date, almost 10 hours from liftoff until end-of-mission.
...

ЦитироватьULA  @ulalaunch
Teammates representing United Launch Alliance and U.S. Space Force gathered for the USSF-87 Launch Readiness Review and declared the Vulcan rocket, its payload and mission-support assets GO for liftoff Thursday at 3:30 a.m. EST (0830 UTC). Meteorologists give  a 90 percent chance of favorable weather for the launch from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral. 
http://bit.ly/vulcan_ussf87
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392324.jpg)

ЦитироватьLukas C. H.  @GewoonLukas_
Due to Crew-12 delaying by 24 hours, ULA's Vulcan (USSF-87) and SpaceX' Falcon 9 (Crew-12) are now set to launch within 2 hours of each other from neighboring pads 2.5km apart. If Crew-12 proceeds, I doubt USSF-87 can launch due to Dragon closeouts right around Vulcan's T-0.
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In today's Crew-12 briefing, NASA's Steve Stich (Manager CCP) said that Crew-12 has priority on the range, but that they'll work with ULA to optimize the schedule. If Crew-12 has to delay, ULA can proceed with the USSF-87 launch, but if Crew-12 launches ULA has to delay.

ЦитироватьULA  @ulalaunch
What does three million pounds of liftoff thrust look like? You will see it Thursday when ULA's Vulcan rocket lifts off on the power of its twin methane main engines and four side-mounted solid rocket boosters.

Launch time is 3:30 a.m. EST (0830 UTC) from Cape Canaveral. The rocket will take an easterly trajectory, en route to a geosynchronous orbit 22,000 miles high.

You can watch the launch and follow the mission here: http://bit.ly/vulcan_ussf87
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392367.jpg)

ЦитироватьULA  @ulalaunch
Rollout is underway of the United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket to send USSF-87 to geosynchronous orbit on Thursday at 3:30 a.m. EST (0830 UTC). http://bit.ly/vulcan_ussf87
<видео>

ЦитироватьULA  @ulalaunch
The Vulcan rocket travels to the launch pad with USSF-87 payload. Liftoff is planned for Thursday morning from Cape Canaveral.
Photo album: https://flic.kr/ps/3ju3XB
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392409.jpg)  (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392410.jpg)

Цитировать...
Mission Details

GSSAP 7 & 8
(Hornet 7 & 8 )
Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites are a space-based capability operating in the near-geosynchronous orbit regime, supporting U.S. Space Command space surveillance operations as a dedicated Space Surveillance Network (SSN) sensor.
Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman
Operator: United States Space Force
Geosynchronous Orbit
2 Payloads

Propulsive ESPA
Also onboard USSF-87 is a propulsive ESPA-Ring carrying research, development, and training systems that USSF Guardians will use to refine tactics, techniques and procedures for precision on-orbit maneuvers, as well as enhance and validate resiliency and protection in geosynchronous orbit. This will be the aft-payload.
Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman
Operator: United States Space Force
Geosynchronous Orbit

ЦитироватьULA  @ulalaunch
Vertical integration of our rockets with their payloads is one of the things that sets United Launch Alliance apart from others. Watch what it takes to ready a 20-story-tall Vulcan rocket to launch U.S. national security satellites for the Space Force's USSF-87 mission, scheduled for liftoff Thursday at 3:30 a.m. EST (0830 UTC).
http://bit.ly/vulcan_ussf87

Цитироватьhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFw6xy2zGCo
Rocket Launch: Vulcan USSF-87
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/358352.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/@unitedlaunchalliance)  United Launch Alliance (https://www.youtube.com/@unitedlaunchalliance)
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket will deliver national security spacecraft directly to geosynchronous orbit for the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command on the USSF-87 mission. Liftoff will occur from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday, Feb. 2.  The window opens at 3:30 a.m. EST.

ЦитироватьULA  @ulalaunch
It is Vulcan's night to shine! ULA has started the countdown to our night owl launch that will be visible for hundreds of miles around.
The two-hour window opens at 3:30 a.m. EST (0830 UTC) for liftoff from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral.
This launch, known as the USSF-87 mission for the U.S. Space Force, will deliver spacecraft directly into geosynchronous orbit 22,000 miles above the Earth.
http://bit.ly/vulcan_ussf87
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392416.jpg)

Цитата: Arzach от 12.02.2026 12:34:00Похоже, опять что-то не так с ТТУ. И на старте что-то горело после ухода ракеты - в трансляции NSF было видно. Но до отделения отработали.

Цитата: Zmej Gorynych от 12.02.2026 12:39:21То есть пуск успешный?

ЦитироватьWe had an observation early during flight on one of the four solid rocket motors, the team is currently reviewing the data. The booster, upper stage, and spacecraft continued to perform on a nominal trajectory.

Цитата: D:\ от 12.02.2026 13:41:27То есть прогар сопла теперь даже не аномалия, а так, наблюдение  :)
UPD: в прошлый раз тоже было "наблюдение". И у NG так же. Мировой словарь космических терминов явно пополнился устойчивым менеджеризмом.

ЦитироватьULA  @ulalaunch
To recap, Vulcan launched at 4:22 a.m. EST (0922 UTC) from Cape Canaveral for the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command. At the request of our customer, this will conclude our live coverage of today's countdown and liftoff of USSF-87. http://bit.ly/vulcan_ussf87

Цитата: anik от 12.02.2026 15:33:08На 88-й секунде видно (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=60381.msg2759673#msg2759673), как ракету начинает крутить по крену, но потом она отыгрывает немного в обратную сторону.

Вот тут (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=60381.msg2759678#msg2759678) ещё более красноречивее.

Интенсивное вращение началось на 83-й секунде, через 19 секунд после предполагаемого отрыва сопла.

Цитата: Feol от 12.02.2026 18:17:31Всё таки тянет прогоревший ускоритель однозначно слабее.

Цитата: Feol от 12.02.2026 18:17:31

Цитата: anik от 12.02.2026 15:33:08На 88-й секунде видно (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=60381.msg2759673#msg2759673), как ракету начинает крутить по крену, но потом она отыгрывает немного в обратную сторону.

Вот тут (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=60381.msg2759678#msg2759678) ещё более красноречивее.

Интенсивное вращение началось на 83-й секунде, через 19 секунд после предполагаемого отрыва сопла.

Любопытно, пуск таки успешный или нет? Если система управления допускает вращение по крену (американцы на боевых твердотопливных давно так делали, не стабилизировали крен), то может быть успешным. Правда, ещё и энергетика важна. Всё таки тянет прогоревший ускоритель однозначно слабее.

ЦитироватьUSSF-87 (GSSAP 7 & 8 )
Launch Success
Liftoff Time (UTC)
09:22:00
Thursday February 12, 2026

ЦитироватьULA  @ulalaunch
United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket today successfully launched national security spacecraft into geosynchronous orbit, including a "neighborhood watch" mission to patrol the strategic high ground of space.

Despite the solid rocket motor performance anomaly, the Vulcan booster and Centaur performed nominally and delivered the spacecraft directly to the intended orbit.

Learn more: https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/ula-vulcan-rocket-successfully-launches-the-future-of-defense
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392436.jpg)

Цитировать...Несмотря на аномалию работы твёрдотопливных двигателей, ускоритель Vulcan и Centaur работали нормально и доставили аппарат непосредственно на запланированную орбиту.

Цитата: zandr от 12.02.2026 20:20:35Despite the solid rocket motor performance anomaly

Цитата: anik от 12.02.2026 15:12:14"Мультитран" даёт перевод observation как замечание.

Цитата: Feol от 12.02.2026 21:34:04

Цитата: anik от 12.02.2026 15:12:14"Мультитран" даёт перевод observation как замечание.

Ни в коем случае не знаток английского, но, по-моему, observation "замечание" это когда в смысле "сделать замечание" - например, нерадивому ученику за плохое поведение.

Цитироватьobservation

Meaning of observation in English
 
observation
noun
uk /ˌɒb.zəˈveɪ.ʃən/ us /ˌɑːb.zɚˈveɪ.ʃən/
observation noun (WATCHING)

the act of observing something or someone:
close observation of nature/human nature/animal behaviour
The police are keeping the suspect under observation.

Цитата: Arzach от 12.02.2026 21:24:48Всё-таки повысили статус серьёзности инцидента с "observation" до "anomaly". :)

Цитата: Ed Sch от 12.02.2026 21:42:58

Цитата: Feol от 12.02.2026 21:34:04

Цитата: anik от 12.02.2026 15:12:14"Мультитран" даёт перевод observation как замечание.

Ни в коем случае не знаток английского, но, по-моему, observation "замечание" это когда в смысле "сделать замечание" - например, нерадивому ученику за плохое поведение.

Observation = наблюдение

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/observation

Цитироватьobservation

Meaning of observation in English
 
observation
noun
uk /ˌɒb.zəˈveɪ.ʃən/ us /ˌɑːb.zɚˈveɪ.ʃən/
observation noun (WATCHING)

the act of observing something or someone:
close observation of nature/human nature/animal behaviour
The police are keeping the suspect under observation.

Цитата: Ed Sch от 12.02.2026 21:48:38

Цитата: Arzach от 12.02.2026 21:24:48Всё-таки повысили статус серьёзности инцидента с "observation" до "anomaly". :)

По-русски, с изначального "заметили, что с мотором что-то не так" перешли к "заметили, что с мотором какая-то хрень".

Цитата: s_nova от 12.02.2026 20:38:05Может 10 часов с учётом маневров увода центавра после отделения КА?

Цитата: anik от 12.02.2026 22:16:42Спутники доставлены на ГСО в 18:18 ДМВ

Цитата: D:\ от 12.02.2026 22:45:33

Цитата: anik от 12.02.2026 22:16:42Спутники доставлены на ГСО в 18:18 ДМВ

Стартовали на полчаса позже "Электры", а прилетели ровно в то же время. А всё потому, что им ближе пилить до восходящего узла ГПО  :)

Кстати, откуда дровишки, что там ESPA?

Цитата: D:\ от 12.02.2026 22:45:33Кстати, откуда дровишки, что там ESPA?

Цитата: Feol от 12.02.2026 22:59:46Ещё и по энергетике какая им фора на поворот плоскости орбиты... ;)

ЦитироватьThe Vulcan rocket successfully delivered the mission to the designated orbits despite an observed anomaly early in flight on one of the four solid rocket motors. The USSF SYD 80 team will work closely with ULA per our mission assurance space flightworthiness process before the next Vulcan national security space mission.
The USSF-87 mission included a variety of payloads that will not only advance space technology but also benefit current and future programs of record. The Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) space system is a capability supporting U.S. Space Command's space surveillance operations as a high-performance, dedicated Space Surveillance Network sensor. Built by Northrop-Grumman, it was deployed approximately 6.5 hours after liftoff.
In addition to GSSAP, USSF-87 included additional research, development and training systems, which Guardians will use to refine tactics, techniques and procedures for precision on-orbit maneuvers. These systems will also enhance and validate resiliency and protection in geosynchronous orbit.

Цитата: anik от 12.02.2026 23:00:23Кстати, из этого сообщения не ясно, один или два GSSAP.

ЦитироватьSpace Systems Command says there were two GSSAPs on USSF-87

Цитата: anik от 13.02.2026 14:33:54Кстати, нештатное выведение полностью повторилось, как было во втором пуске: боковые ускорители отделились на 20 сек позже графика, а выключение двигателей первой ступени и отделение ступени прошли на 6 сек позже.

ЦитироватьLt. Gen. Greg Gagnon, head of Space Force Combat Forces Command, disclosed today that the mission also included a first: a prototype of a highly maneuverable satellite to be operated by his delta responsible for orbital warfare, Mission Delta 9.
"Their job is working on their maneuvers ... so that they can deliver offensive and defensive capabilities that are precise and not imprecise. So, they're working on driving that spacecraft in a way that we couldn't drive spacecraft before."

Цитировать"We are going to work through this anomaly until we launch again on Vulcan," Col. Eric Zarybnisky, the Space Force's portfolio acquisition executive for assured access to space, said in a media roundtable here in Colorado at the Air Force Association's Warfare Symposium. "Until this anomaly is solved we will not be launching Vulcan missions."

ЦитироватьLt. Gen. Greg Gagnon, who oversees Space Force Combat Forces Command, revealed that USSF-87 also featured an experimental satellite designed for maneuverability. This advancement, under the purview of Mission Delta 9, signifies a transformative approach to orbital warfare capabilities.
"Operational agility is critical," Gagnon explained. "Our delta's mission is to enhance precision in delivering both offensive and defensive capabilities, a leap forward from previous generations of spacecraft."

ЦитироватьIt looks like "Voyager", which was previously owned by Space Perspective, is working in the USSF-87 SRB splashdown area to recover the SRB's out of the ocean. This same vessel was used to recover USSF-106's SRB's.