Falcon 9 Block 5 | SDA Tranche 2 Transport Layer D
Pad: Unknown Pad · Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Classified mission launched by the Space Development Agency (SDA) for Tranche 2 Transport Layer.
Falcon 9 Liftoff with Dragon Spacecraft
Photo: SpaceX
Falcon 9 Block 5 | SDA Tranche 2 Transport Layer D 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
- SDA Tranche 2 Transport Layer D
- Launch Window
- Thursday, December 31, 2026 at 12:00 AM UTC – 12:00 AM UTC
♻️ Hardware Reusability & Recovery Matrix
- Booster Core
- Flight Proven Core
- 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: 2026-12-31Terminal 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
Unknown Pad
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station · Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
ULA Space Launch Complex 41 Launch Mount
United Launch Alliance Space Launch Complex 41 with four 100-meter catenary lightning suppression masts.
Photo Credit: NASA / Kim ShiflettSLC-41 is ULA's primary East Coast heavy launch facility. The pad was the departure point for historic NASA planetary missions including New Horizons to Pluto, the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars rovers, and the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return.