Last year, United Launch Alliance (ULA) anticipated a record-breaking 2025, aiming to conduct up to 20 launches, evenly split between its reliable Atlas V and the newer Vulcan rocket. However, recent developments suggest a different reality.

This year, ULA is expected to complete only six missions—five with the Atlas V and a single flight with the Vulcan rocket, which the company is eager to ramp up. While six launches mark ULA’s busiest year since 2022, this figure falls significantly short of earlier forecasts.

Industry experts note that supply chain issues and technical delays have impacted the rollout of the Vulcan rocket, which is crucial for ULA’s future plans. The upcoming launch on December 15 will be ULA’s final mission for 2025, deploying broadband satellites for Amazon’s Leo network from Cape Canaveral.

This shift raises questions about ULA’s long-term launch schedule and the pace of Vulcan development. As the industry faces ongoing challenges, experts advise stakeholders to monitor ULA’s strategic adjustments carefully.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.