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

The U.S. Space Force has certified United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket, allowing that vehicle to conduct national security missions.

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,