Science & Tech · Space · 1 hr ago
SpaceX launches classified US Space Force mission from California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched the USSF-432 mission for the U.S. Space Force from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Nov.
6.
The mission is classified, and officials have not disclosed what it carries.
Earlier missions in the same series reportedly placed 23 satellites each in orbit, and observers believe they are based on SpaceX’s Starshield system for government use.
Some trackers identify the series as part of the Space Force’s Space Based Sensing and Targeting program, but that has not been officially confirmed.
The rocket’s first stage landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean, completing its eighth flight.
The upper stage continued carrying the unknown payload into space, and the webcast ended about 10 minutes after liftoff.
The payload’s destination and purpose remain unclear from the information released.
SpaceX launched the classified USSF-432 mission for the U.S. Space Force from California on Nov. 6, 2026.
A Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 4:48 p.m. local time.
The rocket’s first-stage booster, B1095, landed on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean, completing its eighth flight.
The payload’s details have not been disclosed by the Space Force, and SpaceX ended its webcast about 10 minutes into the flight.
Observers believe the mission may involve satellites for the Space Force’s Space Based Sensing and Targeting program, but this has not been confirmed.
- Who
- SpaceX launched the mission for the U.S. Space Force.
- What
- A Falcon 9 launched the classified USSF-432 mission, also identified as R-4.
- When
- Nov. 6, 2026, at 4:48 p.m. local time in California.
- Where
- Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
- Why
- The mission was for a U.S. Space Force program. The specific purpose and payload details have not been disclosed officially.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The launch was originally scheduled for this date.
The launch was delayed repeatedly, first because of delays to the Starlink 15-18 launch and later for undisclosed reasons.
The Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 4:48 p.m. local time.
Booster B1095 landed on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean.
- Mission
- USSF-432, also identified as R-4
- Launch vehicle
- Falcon 9
- Launch site
- Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
- Launch time
- 4:48 p.m. local time on Nov. 6, 2026
- Booster
- B1095 completed its eighth flight and landed on Of Course I Still Love You
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What people are saying
It is possibly a batch of classified LEO satellites for the USSF's Space Based Sensing and Targeting (SBST) portfolio based on SpaceX's Starshield satellite bus, based on locations of rocket stage drop zones being exact fits with previous Starlink Group 15 launches.