SpaceX

USSF-259

Success

Falcon 9 Block 5

T-minus to liftoff

-

00

HOURS

:

00

MINUTES

:

00

SECONDS

Thursday September 17 2026, 01:07:56 UTC

StatusSuccess

VehicleFalcon 9 Block 5

OrbitPolar Orbit

PadSpace Launch Complex 4E

Loading map…

Mission

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 Timeline

Countdown

T-00:38:00

GO for Prop Load

T-00:35:00

Stage 1 LOX Load

T-00:35:00

Prop Load

T-00:16:00

Stage 2 LOX Load

T-00:07:00

Engine Chill

T-00:01:00

Startup

T-00:01:00

Tank Press

T-00:00:45

GO for Launch

T-00:00:03

Ignition

In-flight

T+00:00:00

Liftoff

T+00:01:07

Max-Q

T+00:02:26

MECO

T+00:02:30

Stage 2 Separation

T+00:02:36

SES-1

T+00:02:57

Fairing Separation

T+00:06:03

Entry Burn Startup

T+00:06:24

Entry Burn Shutdown

T+00:07:58

Stage 1 Landing Burn

T+00:08:20

Stage 1 Landing

Quick facts

VehicleFalcon 9 Block 5

OrbitPolar Orbit

PadSpace Launch Complex 4E

SiteVandenberg SFB, CA, USA

WindowThursday September 17 2026, 01:00:00 UTC→Thursday September 17 2026, 05:00:00 UTC

Vehicle

FamilyFalcon

Height70 m

Diameter3.7 m

Stages2

ReusableYes

LEO capacity22,800 kg

Track record641/642 successful

Landings627/632

All launches

SpaceX

USSF-259

Success

Falcon 9 Block 5

T-minus to liftoff

-

00

HOURS

:

00

MINUTES

:

00

SECONDS

Thursday September 17 2026, 01:07:56 UTC

StatusSuccess

VehicleFalcon 9 Block 5

OrbitPolar Orbit

PadSpace Launch Complex 4E

Launch CodexDossier

Every source for this mission in one place — news, social, references, notes & the exact timeline.

Explore

Loading mission…

Orbital elements (TLE)

2 element sets

Orbit

Apogee273 km

Perigee253 km

Period89.8 min

Inclination80.00°

Launch heading 168° · SSE from USSF-259 PO.

Parking orbitUSSF-259 PO› conemedium

1 70197U 26214A 26260.05307870 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 9995

2 70197 80.0035 080.7656 0091027 156.2710 000.8000 16.22302114 05

OrbitUSSF-259medium

1 70197U 26214A 26260.08383102 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 9990

2 70197 80.0035 080.7644 0015056 156.2704 180.4336 16.04016431 04

Pre-launch TLEs from Dillon's Space Page. Estimated before flight — the real orbit is confirmed post-launch.

Loading map…

Mission

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.

Reusable Hardware

All boosters →

First Stage · Flight-provenB1097

active13th flight

Flights13

Landings13/13100%

Fastest turn14d 3h

Recovered · ASDS · OCISLY· 574 km downrange

28d 21h since last flight

Falcon 9 booster.

Previous flights · 12

Launch intel

Hazards (4)All areas →Download pack

2551/2026space debrisSep 10, 17:24Z – Sep 16, 20:39Z
HYDROPAC 2551/26 SOUTH PACIFIC. 1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 101724Z TO 102102Z, 111710Z TO 112048Z, 121656Z TO 122034Z, 131642Z TO 132020Z, 141628Z TO 142006Z, 151614Z TO 151952Z, AND 161601Z TO 161939Z SEP IN AREA BOUND BY 27-59.00S 122-44.00W, 27-09.00S 120-43.00W, 38-21.00S 115-04.00W, 49-09.00S 107-22.00W, 59-09.00S 095-34.00W, 59-58.00S 099-05.00W, 44-34.00S 114-13.00W. 2. CANCEL THIS MSG 162039Z SEP 26.
Hazard card →
625/2026rocket launchSep 16, 01:00Z – Sep 22, 06:43Z
NAVAREA XII 625/26. NORTH PACIFIC. CALIFORNIA. 1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING: A. 160100Z TO 160523Z SEP, ALTERNATE 0100Z TO 0523Z DAILY 17 THRU 22 SEP IN AREA BOUND BY 32-01.00N 120-03.00W, 32-01.00N 120-00.00W, 33-22.00N 120-12.00W, 34-27.00N 120-23.00W, 34-40.00N 120-36.00W, 34-39.00N 120-40.00W, 34-20.00N 120-39.00W, 33-04.00N 120-20.00W. B. 160100Z TO 160543Z SEP, ALTERNATE 0100Z TO 0543Z DAILY 17 THRU 22 SEP IN AREA BOUND BY 27-40.00N 119-16.00W, 28-41.00N 119-53.00W, 28-57.00N 119-55.00W, 30-45.00N 119-47.00W, 28-55.00N 118-46.00W, 28-39.00N 118-43.00W. 2. CANCEL THIS MSG 220643Z SEP 26.
Hazard card →
2636/2026space debrisSep 17, 01:00Z – Sep 17, 08:00Z
HYDROPAC 2636/26 SOUTH PACIFIC. 1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 170100Z TO 170700Z SEP IN AREA BOUND BY 51-08.34S 168-41.58W, 53-51.96S 152-28.98W, 53-57.18S 131-36.66W, 54-51.00S 131-31.44W, 54-44.94S 152-25.26W, 52-02.16S 168-36.72W. 2. CANCEL THIS MSG 170800Z SEP 26.
Hazard card →
LNM 53260deorbitSep 16, 01:00Z – Sep 22, 05:43Z
Sector San Diego, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)/Space Operations/Hazardous Warning Area/Commercial (Hazardous) Hazardous operations will be conducted for Space X, TH-1. Hazardous operation areas are bounded by the following coordinates and times: Hazard Area A: 32.01666667N, -120.05W 32.01666667N, -120W 33.36666667N, -120.2W 34.45N, -120.38333333W 34.66666667N, -120.6W 34.65N, -120.66666667W 34.33333333N, -120.65W 33.06666667N, -120.33333333W (TO BEGINNING) 160100Z SEP TO 160523Z SEP 2026---- (PRIMARY) 170100Z SEP TO 170523Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 180100Z SEP TO 180523Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 190100Z SEP TO 190523Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 200100Z SEP TO 200523Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 210100Z SEP TO 210523Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 220100Z SEP TO 220523Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) Hazard Area B: 27.66666667N, -119.26666667W 28.68333333N, -119.88333333W 28.95N, -119.91666667W 30.75N, -119.78333333W 28.91666667N, -118.76666667W 28.65N, -118.71666667W (TO BEGINNING) 160100Z SEP TO 160543Z SEP 2026---- (PRIMARY) 170100Z SEP TO 170543Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 180100Z SEP TO 180543Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 190100Z SEP TO 190543Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 200100Z SEP TO 200543Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 210100Z SEP TO 210543Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 220100Z SEP TO 220543Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) Mariners are strongly advised to remain clear of these areas for the duration of operations. For more details or comments contact Space X at regulatory@spacex.com or on VHF-FM Chan. 05, 06 or 16.
Hazard card →

Launch Timeline

Countdown

T-00:38:00

GO for Prop Load

T-00:35:00

Stage 1 LOX Load

T-00:35:00

Prop Load

T-00:16:00

Stage 2 LOX Load

T-00:07:00

Engine Chill

T-00:01:00

Startup

T-00:01:00

Tank Press

T-00:00:45

GO for Launch

T-00:00:03

Ignition

In-flight

T+00:00:00

Liftoff

T+00:01:07

Max-Q

T+00:02:26

MECO

T+00:02:30

Stage 2 Separation

T+00:02:36

SES-1

T+00:02:57

Fairing Separation

T+00:06:03

Entry Burn Startup

T+00:06:24

Entry Burn Shutdown

T+00:07:58

Stage 1 Landing Burn

T+00:08:20

Stage 1 Landing

Quick facts

VehicleFalcon 9 Block 5

OrbitPolar Orbit

PadSpace Launch Complex 4E

SiteVandenberg SFB, CA, USA

WindowThursday September 17 2026, 01:00:00 UTC→Thursday September 17 2026, 05:00:00 UTC

Vehicle

FamilyFalcon

Height70 m

Diameter3.7 m

Stages2

ReusableYes

LEO capacity22,800 kg

Track record641/642 successful

Landings627/632

Launch CodexDossier

Every source for this mission in one place — news, social, references, notes & the exact timeline.

Explore

Launch intel

Hazards (4)All areas →Download pack

2551/2026space debrisSep 10, 17:24Z – Sep 16, 20:39Z
HYDROPAC 2551/26 SOUTH PACIFIC. 1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 101724Z TO 102102Z, 111710Z TO 112048Z, 121656Z TO 122034Z, 131642Z TO 132020Z, 141628Z TO 142006Z, 151614Z TO 151952Z, AND 161601Z TO 161939Z SEP IN AREA BOUND BY 27-59.00S 122-44.00W, 27-09.00S 120-43.00W, 38-21.00S 115-04.00W, 49-09.00S 107-22.00W, 59-09.00S 095-34.00W, 59-58.00S 099-05.00W, 44-34.00S 114-13.00W. 2. CANCEL THIS MSG 162039Z SEP 26.
Hazard card →
625/2026rocket launchSep 16, 01:00Z – Sep 22, 06:43Z
NAVAREA XII 625/26. NORTH PACIFIC. CALIFORNIA. 1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING: A. 160100Z TO 160523Z SEP, ALTERNATE 0100Z TO 0523Z DAILY 17 THRU 22 SEP IN AREA BOUND BY 32-01.00N 120-03.00W, 32-01.00N 120-00.00W, 33-22.00N 120-12.00W, 34-27.00N 120-23.00W, 34-40.00N 120-36.00W, 34-39.00N 120-40.00W, 34-20.00N 120-39.00W, 33-04.00N 120-20.00W. B. 160100Z TO 160543Z SEP, ALTERNATE 0100Z TO 0543Z DAILY 17 THRU 22 SEP IN AREA BOUND BY 27-40.00N 119-16.00W, 28-41.00N 119-53.00W, 28-57.00N 119-55.00W, 30-45.00N 119-47.00W, 28-55.00N 118-46.00W, 28-39.00N 118-43.00W. 2. CANCEL THIS MSG 220643Z SEP 26.
Hazard card →
2636/2026space debrisSep 17, 01:00Z – Sep 17, 08:00Z
HYDROPAC 2636/26 SOUTH PACIFIC. 1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 170100Z TO 170700Z SEP IN AREA BOUND BY 51-08.34S 168-41.58W, 53-51.96S 152-28.98W, 53-57.18S 131-36.66W, 54-51.00S 131-31.44W, 54-44.94S 152-25.26W, 52-02.16S 168-36.72W. 2. CANCEL THIS MSG 170800Z SEP 26.
Hazard card →
LNM 53260deorbitSep 16, 01:00Z – Sep 22, 05:43Z
Sector San Diego, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)/Space Operations/Hazardous Warning Area/Commercial (Hazardous) Hazardous operations will be conducted for Space X, TH-1. Hazardous operation areas are bounded by the following coordinates and times: Hazard Area A: 32.01666667N, -120.05W 32.01666667N, -120W 33.36666667N, -120.2W 34.45N, -120.38333333W 34.66666667N, -120.6W 34.65N, -120.66666667W 34.33333333N, -120.65W 33.06666667N, -120.33333333W (TO BEGINNING) 160100Z SEP TO 160523Z SEP 2026---- (PRIMARY) 170100Z SEP TO 170523Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 180100Z SEP TO 180523Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 190100Z SEP TO 190523Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 200100Z SEP TO 200523Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 210100Z SEP TO 210523Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 220100Z SEP TO 220523Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) Hazard Area B: 27.66666667N, -119.26666667W 28.68333333N, -119.88333333W 28.95N, -119.91666667W 30.75N, -119.78333333W 28.91666667N, -118.76666667W 28.65N, -118.71666667W (TO BEGINNING) 160100Z SEP TO 160543Z SEP 2026---- (PRIMARY) 170100Z SEP TO 170543Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 180100Z SEP TO 180543Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 190100Z SEP TO 190543Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 200100Z SEP TO 200543Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 210100Z SEP TO 210543Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) 220100Z SEP TO 220543Z SEP 2026---- (BACKUP DAY) Mariners are strongly advised to remain clear of these areas for the duration of operations. For more details or comments contact Space X at regulatory@spacex.com or on VHF-FM Chan. 05, 06 or 16.
Hazard card →

Reusable Hardware

All boosters →

First Stage · Flight-provenB1097

active13th flight

Flights13

Landings13/13100%

Fastest turn14d 3h

Recovered · ASDS · OCISLY· 574 km downrange

28d 21h since last flight

Falcon 9 booster.

Previous flights · 12

Loading mission…

Orbital elements (TLE)

2 element sets

Orbit

Apogee273 km

Perigee253 km

Period89.8 min

Inclination80.00°

Launch heading 168° · SSE from USSF-259 PO.

Parking orbitUSSF-259 PO› conemedium

1 70197U 26214A 26260.05307870 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 9995

2 70197 80.0035 080.7656 0091027 156.2710 000.8000 16.22302114 05

OrbitUSSF-259medium

1 70197U 26214A 26260.08383102 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 9990

2 70197 80.0035 080.7644 0015056 156.2704 180.4336 16.04016431 04

Pre-launch TLEs from Dillon's Space Page. Estimated before flight — the real orbit is confirmed post-launch.