Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-259
Falcon 9 Block 5 launched the USSF-259 mission for SpaceX from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on Sep 17, 2026 (UTC).
Launch pad
Space Launch Complex 4E · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-259
Launched Sep 17, 2026 10:07:56 AMSuccess
Flight direction
180° S
estimated from the target orbit · inclination 90.0°
Flight path
First-stage drop zone (rough estimate)
Drawn 400–700 km downrange along the flight direction. Official hazard areas are published as NOTAMs and navigational warnings.
About the mission
USSF-259 is a classified mission for the United States Space Force. It is possibly a batch of classified LEO satellites based on SpaceX’s Starshield satellite bus, based on locations of ascent rocket stage drop zones being fits with previous SDA Transport Layer launches.
Mission description from Launch Library 2.
- Launch time (your time zone)
- Thu, Sep 17 · 10:07:56 AM
- Status
- Success
- Launch provider
- SpaceX
- Rocket
- Falcon 9 Block 5
- Mission type
- Government/Top Secret
- Target orbit
- PO
- Launch pad
- Space Launch Complex 4E · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA