USSF-106 (NTS-3 & Others) launch thread!

Time for the first customer launch of Vulcan!

Scheduled for (UTC)	2025-08-13 00:56
Scheduled for (local)	2025-08-12 20:56 (EDT)
Launch site	SLC-41, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida.
Launch provider	United Launch Alliance (ULA)
Launch vehicle	Vulcan Centaur (VC4S configuration*)
Target orbit	Geosynchronous Orbit (direct injection)

VC4S configuration breakdown:

V: Vulcan first stage
C: Centaur V upper stage
4: Four GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters on the first stage
S: Standard size fairing, 15.5 m in length

Livestreams

Stream	Link
ULA	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rftsSmvefY
NASASpaceFlight	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PZEXyChFx8
Spaceflight Now	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr3wkoKdpzI
The Launch Pad	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zFVwE8Ldo4
Space Affairs	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZX1hguKrQE

Stats

☑️ 1st Vulcan mission of 2025

☑️ 1st launch of the VC4S configuration

☑️ 3rd Vulcan mission overall

☑️ 3rd ULA mission of 2025

☑️ 166th ULA mission overall

Payload info

NTS-3

NTS-3 (Navigation Technology Satellite 3) is a demonstration navigation satellite. NTS-3 will experiment with a new digital signal generator that can be reprogrammed on-orbit, enabling it to broadcast new signals, improve performance by avoiding and defeating interference, and adding signatures for detecting spoofing attacks.
NTS-3 will be the aft payload on the USSF-106 mission.

USSF-106

USSF-106 will also carry a classified satellite for the United States Space Force

Previous ULA launch: Project Kuiper (KA-02)

Next ULA launch: TBD