A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket launched U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command USSF-87 mission directly to geosynchronous orbit from Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 4:22 a.m. on 12 February 2026.

The Vulcan Centaur VC4S rocket, with four solid rocket boosters launched the multi-manifest national security payload directly to geosynchronous orbit more than 22,000 miles (35,000 km) above Earth. The USSF-87 payload includes the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) system that will improve the ability to rapidly detect, warn, characterize and attribute disturbances to space systems in the geosynchronous environment. This is the second National Security Space Launch (NSSL) mission on a Vulcan rocket.

According to the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command: "The USSF-87 mission included a variety of payloads that will not only advance space technology but also benefit current and future programs of record. The Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) space system is a capability supporting U.S. Space Command’s space surveillance operations as a high-performance, dedicated Space Surveillance Network sensor. Built by Northrop-Grumman, it was deployed approximately 6.5 hours after liftoff."