Falcon 9 | SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer F: Launch Sept 30, 2026

When is the launch?

SpaceX is scheduled to launch a Falcon 9 Block 5 carrying the SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer F mission no earlier than 00:00 UTC on 30 September 2026. The launch will lift off from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

The status is currently listed as TBD, meaning the date and time may shift as the mission approaches. Vandenberg launches into polar and near-polar orbits, ideal for the distributed, globe-spanning constellation the Space Development Agency (SDA) is building. Check our rocket launch schedule for the latest confirmed time.

What is the payload?

The mission carries satellites for the SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer, part of the U.S. Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. The Transport Layer is a mesh network of low Earth orbit satellites designed to provide low-latency data connectivity and beyond-line-of-sight targeting relay for the U.S. military.

Tranche 1 dramatically expands on the earlier Tranche 0 demonstration layer, deploying a much larger operational constellation across multiple orbital planes. The satellites use optical inter-satellite links to relay data across the network, forming a resilient space-based backbone. This flight, designated "Transport Layer F," is one of several SpaceX rideshare and dedicated launches supporting the buildout of the Tranche 1 architecture.

Why launch from Vandenberg?

The Transport Layer satellites operate in low Earth orbit at high inclinations to achieve global coverage. Vandenberg's SLC-4E, on California's Pacific coast, is SpaceX's primary West Coast Falcon 9 pad and supports launches into these polar and sun-synchronous trajectories. It has hosted a large share of SpaceX's Starlink and government missions.

How to watch live

SpaceX typically begins its webcast about 15 minutes before liftoff on its official channels. As launch day nears, we will link the live stream directly on Cosmik so you can follow the countdown, ascent, and payload deployment in one place.

You can also follow the mission on our live 3D solar system and satellite map, which visualizes the rocket's path and, after deployment, the newly placed satellites as they join the constellation in orbit.

About the rocket

The Falcon 9 Block 5 is SpaceX's workhorse two-stage rocket and the most-flown orbital launch vehicle in operation. Its reusable first stage typically returns to a landing zone or an autonomous droneship after stage separation, and boosters are routinely reflown across dozens of missions.

Who is flying this mission?

The launch provider is SpaceX, contracted to deliver the Space Development Agency's satellites to orbit. SpaceX has become a key launch partner for SDA, using the reliable Falcon 9 to build out the layered constellation on an aggressive schedule. Explore more upcoming SpaceX launches and missions flying from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Background on the SDA constellation

The Space Development Agency's architecture is split into a Transport Layer (data relay and connectivity) and a Tracking Layer (missile warning and tracking). Together they form a proliferated network in low Earth orbit intended to be more survivable and faster to update than a small number of large, expensive satellites. Tranche 1 represents the first operational-scale deployment, with successive tranches planned to keep expanding and refreshing the network.

Where to learn more

• Falcon 9 (Wikipedia)
• SpaceX (Wikipedia)
• Vandenberg Space Force Base (Wikipedia)
• Launch data source: The Space Devs API

For related coverage, browse the latest launch news and learn how to track satellites as they pass overhead.

Follow the launch live on Cosmik

Track the countdown, watch the Falcon 9 ascent, and follow the SDA Transport Layer satellites in real time on the Cosmik 3D map. Enable free launch alerts so you never miss liftoff — and see this and every other mission on our launch tracker.