SpaceX successfully launched its second classified mission for the U.S. Space Force, designated USSF-259, on September 16, 2026. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 9:07 p.m. EDT (6:07 p.m. local time; 01:07 GMT on September 17).
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Details about the mission remain limited, as SpaceX's webcast concluded shortly after the Falcon 9's first stage returned to Earth, landing on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean approximately 8.5 minutes post-launch. This landing marked the 13th successful touchdown for booster 1097, which previously achieved a significant milestone in April 2026 when it completed SpaceX's 600th landing of an orbital-class rocket, having launched 25 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit at that time.
This launch is part of a rapid sequence of missions for SpaceX, as it follows the launch of the USSF-153 mission just six days prior, on September 10. The September 16 mission represents SpaceX's 110th launch of 2026, with 106 of those flights being conducted by the Falcon 9 rocket. The Falcon Heavy has completed two launches this year, while the Starship vehicle has conducted two suborbital test flights, with plans for its first orbital attempt expected within the next two weeks.
The details surrounding the nature of the USSF-259 mission remain under wraps as is typical for classified military operations.