United Launch Alliance (ULA), the joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, is taking significant steps to upgrade its Vulcan rocket. The goal is to boost its payload capacity to remain competitive in the low Earth orbit satellite launch market, where SpaceX’s Starship currently holds dominance. ULA's strategic enhancement plans are part of a broader effort to meet the growing demands of the LEO market.

In a notable development, the Vulcan rocket received certification from the U.S. Space Force in March 2025, allowing it to participate in launching national security satellites. This certification opens doors for ULA to bid for missions under the National Security Space Launch program. Reuters reported on the Vulcan's importance as it completed its second mission successfully on October 4, 2024, from Cape Canaveral. This launch was pivotal in demonstrating the Vulcan's capabilities for potential Pentagon missions.

Amid these advancements, Boeing and Lockheed Martin are exploring the possibility of selling ULA to Sierra Space, with negotiations estimated between $2 to $3 billion as of August 2024. This potential acquisition could significantly alter the ownership dynamics of ULA, transitioning from being a joint venture of two defense giant companies to a privately owned entity. Such moves highlight ULA’s commitment to evolving its space launch capabilities in a competitive industry.