SPACEX
Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-259
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Sep 17, 2026 at 01:07 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
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MISSION OVERVIEW
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.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Falcon 9AGENCY
SpaceXMISSION
USSF-259
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Polar Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Space Launch Complex 4ELAUNCH SITE
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USACOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Half-year
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 17c71937-dd80-406f-bb47-0c9ee9a24276
Reported date: Sep 17, 2026 at 01:07 UTC
Last synced: 3 minutes ago
SPACEX API
Cross-referenced with community SpaceX data
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
SCHEDULE & STATUS HISTORY
STATUS CHANGESep 17, 2026 at 04:13 UTC
IN FLIGHT → SUCCESS
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGESep 17, 2026 at 01:09 UTC
GO → IN FLIGHT
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(0.1 hrs)
Sep 16, 2026 at 17:23 UTCSep 17, 2026 01:00 → Sep 17, 2026 01:07 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(22.7 hrs)
Sep 16, 2026 at 01:07 UTCSep 16, 2026 02:18 → Sep 17, 2026 01:00 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(0.8 hrs)
Sep 15, 2026 at 21:36 UTCSep 16, 2026 01:29 → Sep 16, 2026 02:18 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(0.5 hrs)
Sep 15, 2026 at 16:37 UTCSep 16, 2026 01:00 → Sep 16, 2026 01:29 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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BOOSTER — B1097 →
#13THIS FLIGHT
13TOTAL FLIGHTS
13/13LANDINGS
28dTURNAROUND
FLIGHT-PROVEN BOOSTER
ASDS — Of Course I Still Love You SUCCESS
First flight: Sep 3, 2025Previous flight: Aug 19, 2026
VEHICLE — Falcon 9 →
MANUFACTURER
SpaceX
VARIANT
Block 5
FLIGHTS
632
SUCCESSES
631
SUCCESS RATE
99.8%
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
LAUNCH VIDEOS
ARTICLES & COVERAGE
MORE INFO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-259 launch?
The Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-259 is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 1:07 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for USSF-259?
The Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-259 mission uses the Falcon 9 rocket, manufactured by SpaceX. The Falcon 9 has flown 632 times with a 99.8% success rate.
Where is the Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-259 launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit is USSF-259 going to?
The USSF-259 mission is targeting Polar Orbit.
Who is launching USSF-259?
The Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-259 is operated by SpaceX.
Can I watch the Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-259 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Sep 17, 2026 04:13 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Sep 17, 2026 04:13 UTC
Status changed: IN FLIGHT u2192 SUCCESS
Launch completed successfully (via Launch Library 2)
Sep 17, 2026 01:09 UTC
Status changed: GO u2192 IN FLIGHT
Launch IN FLIGHT (via Launch Library 2)
Sep 16, 2026 17:23 UTC
Launch delayed by 0.1 hours
Sep 17, 2026 01:00 UTC u2192 Sep 17, 2026 01:07 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Sep 16, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch delayed by 22.7 hours
Sep 16, 2026 02:18 UTC u2192 Sep 17, 2026 01:00 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Sep 15, 2026 21:36 UTC
Launch delayed by 0.8 hours
Sep 16, 2026 01:29 UTC u2192 Sep 16, 2026 02:18 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Sep 15, 2026 16:37 UTC
Launch delayed by 0.5 hours
Sep 16, 2026 01:00 UTC u2192 Sep 16, 2026 01:29 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Sep 9, 2026 16:18 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Sep 9, 2026 16:18 UTC
Launch date set: Sep 17, 2026 at 01:07 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by SpaceX
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 3 minutes ago
●Launch Library 23 minutes ago
Launch ID: 17c71937-dd80-406f-bb47-0c9ee9a24276
●Open-Meteo Weather4 weeks ago
Pad weather at 34.63, -120.61
Mission Profile
USSF-259 was a Falcon 9 Block 5 mission operated by SpaceX that lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on September 17, 2026. The flight carried its payload on a government/top secret mission to Polar Orbit. The first stage, booster B1097, made its 13th flight, returning to service just 28 days after its previous mission. The launch was a success.