Recorded
- Launch target
- Launch window
Previous values
- Launch target
- Launch window
SpaceXGo for Launch
USSF-266
Falcon 9 Block 5
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.
Latest published target
This is the current published target, subject to schedule changes.
Source record updated
Check the source: SpaceX ↗ · Launch Library ↗
Mission updates
Recorded source changes. These do not establish the reason for a delay.
Earlier recorded changes (1)
Recorded
- Launch target
- Launch window
Previous values
- Launch target
- Launch window
Earlier unrecorded changes are not reconstructed.
Checks for schedule changes while this page is visible.
Time to target
Counting down
Launch target may change.
LAUNCH SITEVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Mission
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 vehicle
- Falcon 9 Block 5
- Mission type
- Government/Top Secret
- Destination orbit
- Polar Orbit
- Launch pad
- Space Launch Complex 4E
- Provider
- SpaceX
- Recovery
- Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship, Of Course I Still Love You +1
The vehicle
Published configuration and flight history.
Launch vehicle
Falcon 9 Block 5
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.
- Height
- 70 m
- Diameter
- 3.65 m
- Stages
- 2
- Recorded launches
- 645
- First flight
- 2018-05-11
Launch window
4h windowPublished target
WINDOW OPENS
WINDOW CLOSES
Target ·
The target marker shows its position within the published window. The schedule may change before launch.
Flight timeline
Planned sequence, not live telemetry. Times are relative to the launch target.
- T−00:38:00
GO for Prop Load
- T−00:35:00
Prop Load
- T−00:35:00
Stage 1 LOX Load
- T−00:16:00
Stage 2 LOX Load
- T−00:07:00
Engine Chill
- T−00:01:00
Startup
Show the full sequence (19 events)
- T−00:01:00
Tank Press
- T−00:00:45
GO for Launch
- T−00:00:03
Ignition
- T+00:00:00
Liftoff
- T+00:01:07
Max-Q
- T+00:02:26
MECO
- T+00:02:29
Stage 2 Separation
- T+00:02:36
SES-1
- T+00:02:56
Fairing Separation
- T+00:06:03
Entry Burn Startup
- T+00:06:27
Entry Burn Shutdown
- T+00:08:01
Stage 1 Landing Burn
- T+00:08:23
Stage 1 Landing
Launch site & orbit
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
The mission in perspective
Launch site & orbit
Explore the launch pad, then pull back to see the shape of the destination orbit.
Understand this orbitExplore Earth & Moon · this mission view is an illustration
Watch in person
Plan around the launch.
Check the base’s current launch notices and access restrictions before travelling.
Leave room for delays. Recheck the launch target, local weather and road closures on the day.
Vandenberg launch announcements ↗Before you set off
- Confirm the target and launch window.
- Check official viewing access and any booking requirements.
- Use a permitted viewing area. The launch pad is not a visitor destination.
- Keep the mission’s coverage link as a backup.
Coverage & sources
Mission coverage
USSF-266 Mission ↗Follow on iPhone
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