Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-259
Pad: Space Launch Complex 4E · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
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.
Falcon 9 Liftoff with Dragon Spacecraft
Photo: SpaceX
Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-259 Live Coverage
Official Webcast Feed Scheduled
Live broadcast embeds typically go live 15 to 20 minutes prior to launch window liftoff. Check the official SpaceX channels or Spaceflight Now for live feeds.
🛰️ Mission Orbital & Environment Matrix
- Target Orbit
- PO
- Target Altitude
- 550 km
- Inclination
- 53.2°
- Weather Violation Risk
- 10%
- Primary Payload
- USSF-259
- Launch Window
- Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 01:00 AM UTC – 05:00 AM UTC
♻️ Hardware Reusability & Recovery Matrix
- Booster Core
- B1097
- Flight Count
- Operational Flight
- Recovery Strategy
- Autonomous Drone Ship (ASDS)
- Fairing Recovery
- Flight Proven
- Landing Vessel / Zone
- Designated Drone Ship (ASDS)
- Vehicle Architecture
- Falcon 9 Technical Specs & Flight Geometry →
⏱️ Operational Timeline Milestones & Staging Sequence
Target T-0: 2026-09-16Terminal Count
T-00:15:00Autonomous launch sequence start
Auto Sequence
T-00:03:00Flight computer assumes control
Liftoff
T-00:00:00Stage 1 main engine ignition & liftoff
MECO & Stage Sep
T+00:02:40Main engine cut-off and stage separation
Stage 1 Landing
T+00:08:30Booster touchdown on recovery vessel / zone
Payload Deploy
T+00:45:00Spacecraft insertion into target orbit
Space Launch Complex 4E
Vandenberg Space Force Base · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Vandenberg SLC-4E Coastal Liftoff
Falcon 9 ascending from Space Launch Complex 4E overlooking the Pacific coastline at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Photo Credit: U.S. Space Force / Michael PetersonSLC-4E is the premier West Coast spaceport for polar, sun-synchronous (SSO), and retrograde orbital insertions. Situated on a dramatic coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it enables rockets to fly south over open ocean without crossing populated landmasses.