ULA proposes Vulcan rocket role in US satellite defense

The concept involves upgrading the Centaur V with an Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10 engine to enable it to perform long-endurance counter-space missions swiftly. Bruno described current satellites as "slow and deliberate in their motion," whereas Vulcan Centaur could respond quickly to emerging threats.

In his Medium article, Bruno explained that existing satellite killers are constrained by limited propellant and small thrusters which slow their approach to targets over days or weeks. In contrast, he suggests that Vulcan Centaur could move within hours to intercept threats.

This development comes amid growing competition between the United States and China in space exploration and defense capabilities. While Russia may not compete like before, it still poses potential threats to other nations' space-based assets.

Since 2019 when the US established Space Force as an independent branch from the Air Force—indicating increased focus on space as a military domain—the Air Force has shown interest in SpaceX's Starship for rapid global transport of personnel or cargo.

While SpaceX currently dominates low earth orbit payload launches—a position once held by ULA—the latter seeks ways to adapt and reclaim market share through innovations such as those proposed for Vulcan Centaur.