Vulcan’s certification means SpaceX should have at least one competitor for future launches — though several other firms are lining up behind them.

The certification process, which began in 2016, was no easy feat. Vulcan had to clear 52 criteria, 18 critical subsystem reviews, and 114 audits, along with two test launches. While its January 2024 launch succeeded,

The U.S. Space Force has certified ULA's new Vulcan Centaur rocket to launch national security missions, doubling the number of providers for such flights.