Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-481
Falcon 9 Block 5 launched the USSF-481 mission for SpaceX from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on Oct 16, 2026 (UTC).
Launch pad
Space Launch Complex 4E · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-481
Launched Oct 16, 2026 9:01:05 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
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)
- Fri, Oct 16 · 9:01:05 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