# NASA Contracts ULA for Centaur Upgrade

NASA confirmed on October 23, 2026, that it will contract with United Launch Alliance (ULA) to develop an upgraded, extended Centaur V upper stage for the Space Launch System, supporting Orion’s ability to reach low-lunar orbit. The development comes as ULA plans a November 13 Vulcan return-to-flight mission carrying 40 Amazon Leo satellites, subject to range approval, while signals point to potential U.S. launch-capacity constraints through the 2030s and additional investment in launch infrastructure.

- The Centaur development contract’s value and contract number were not provided. Companies with propulsion, spacecraft-integration, and launch-system capabilities may find opportunities in the NASA effort and related supply chains.
- The planned Vulcan flight is 14 days away as of October 30, but its date remains contingent on range approval; launch providers and satellite operators should account for that condition in mission planning.
- A separate **conditional $150 million government loan commitment** is intended to support a second launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The commitment remains subject to financial, legal, technical, and due-diligence requirements, signaling potential government-backed expansion of launch capacity.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Transportation, Defense & Military
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 30, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- United States Space Force (USSF)
- Space Systems Command (SSC)
- Department of Defense Office of Strategic Capital (OSC)

### Vendors
- United Launch Alliance (ULA) (Contractor developing the upgraded Centaur upper stage and launch provider for the planned Vulcan mission)
- Stoke Space (Conditional government loan recipient and prospective military launch provider)

### Key Quotes
> Getting Orion to low-lunar orbit means solving propulsion and spacecraft integration problems that were left unaddressed for far too long.
> — Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator

### Sources
- [ULA secures major NASA contract; Vulcan nears return-to-flight as industry shifts.

https://t.co/XL3gVUnOOg

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