Feb. 12 (UPI) -- A United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket launched successfully Thursday morning while experiencing an issue with its booster.
An apparent burn-through could be seen near the nozzle of the rocket's fuel booster about 20 seconds after liftoff. Despite this, the Vulcan Centaur's launch was a success.
"We had an observation early during the flight on one of the four solid rocket motors," ULA posted on X. "The team is currently reviewing the data."
The rocket, carrying a classified payload for Space Force, launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 4:22 a.m. EST.
The launch marks the beginning of the USSF-87 mission. The mission is to collect data to support U.S. Space Command surveillance, U.S. Space Force says. The satellites communicate with Air Force Satellite Control Network ground stations.
