SPACEX

Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-259

GO Falcon 9 →
Sep 16, 2026 at 01:00 UTC
Polar Orbit Government/Top Secret Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA 100% success
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Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADSpace Launch Complex 4E
SITEVandenberg SFB, CA, USA →
ORBITPolar Orbit
TYPEGovernment/Top Secret

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.

VEHICLE
Falcon 9
AGENCY
SpaceX
MISSION
USSF-259
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Polar Orbit
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Half-year
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 17c71937-dd80-406f-bb47-0c9ee9a24276
Reported date: Sep 16, 2026 at 01:00 UTC
Last synced: 12 minutes ago
SPACEX API
Cross-referenced with community SpaceX data
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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#13THIS FLIGHT
12TOTAL FLIGHTS
12/12LANDINGS
27dTURNAROUND
FLIGHT-PROVEN BOOSTER
ASDSOf Course I Still Love You PLANNED
First flight: Sep 3, 2025Previous flight: Aug 19, 2026
MANUFACTURER
SpaceX
VARIANT
Block 5
FLIGHTS
630
SUCCESSES
629
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.

When is the Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-259 launch?
The Falcon 9 Block 5 | USSF-259 is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 1:00 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: GO.
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 630 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.
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 16, 2026 at 01:00 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by SpaceX
Sep 9, 2026 16:18 UTC
Launch status set to GO for launch
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 12 minutes ago
Launch Library 212 minutes ago
Launch ID: 17c71937-dd80-406f-bb47-0c9ee9a24276
Open-Meteo Weather20 hours ago
Pad weather at 34.63, -120.61

Mission Profile

USSF-259 is a Falcon 9 Block 5 mission operated by SpaceX set to lift off from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on September 16, 2026. The flight is tasked with delivering its payload on a government/top secret mission to Polar Orbit. The first stage, booster B1097, is making its 13th flight, returning to service just 27 days after its previous mission.