SpaceX Falcon 9 USSF-xxx ("R-2") Launch: Sept 10, 2026

What is the USSF-xxx ("R-2") mission?

USSF-xxx ("R-2") is a U.S. Space Force national-security mission scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket on September 10, 2026, at 15:37 UTC from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. USSF mission designators identify payloads procured by Space Systems Command for the Department of Defense, with specifics typically kept classified.

The Falcon 9 Block 5 is a two-stage, partially reusable orbital rocket built by SpaceX, standing 70 meters tall and capable of lofting roughly 22,800 kg to low Earth orbit in its expendable configuration. It is the most-flown operational rocket in the world.

When is the launch?

The launch is targeted for 15:37 UTC on September 10, 2026, which is 08:37 PDT locally at Vandenberg. The status is currently listed as To Be Confirmed (TBC), so the date and time may shift as SpaceX and the Space Force finalize range availability and payload readiness.

Where is it launching from?

The mission lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on California's central coast. SLC-4E is SpaceX's dedicated West Coast Falcon 9 pad, used primarily for polar and Sun-synchronous orbit missions because its southerly launch corridor over the Pacific avoids overflight of populated areas. Launches from Vandenberg commonly place payloads into high-inclination orbits favored by reconnaissance, weather, and Earth-observation satellites. See more upcoming flights on our Vandenberg launch schedule.

What is the payload?

As a classified U.S. Space Force flight, the exact nature and mass of the USSF-xxx ("R-2") payload have not been publicly disclosed. National-security missions from Vandenberg often involve intelligence, surveillance, or reconnaissance spacecraft destined for low or Sun-synchronous orbits. Any details beyond the launch parameters listed here remain unconfirmed until officially released.

How to watch the launch live

SpaceX typically streams its launches beginning roughly 15 minutes before liftoff, though national-security missions sometimes limit coverage after payload fairing separation for operational security. Confirm timing on our SpaceX launch schedule as the window approaches.

To follow the mission in real time, you can:

• Watch the countdown and liftoff on SpaceX's official webcast
• Track the rocket and the newly deployed satellite live on Cosmik's 3D solar-system and satellite map
• Check the latest updates on our space launch news feed

Will the booster be recovered?

Falcon 9 Block 5 first stages are designed for reuse, having flown as many as 20-plus times on individual boosters across SpaceX's fleet. West Coast recoveries typically use either a droneship stationed in the Pacific or a return to Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg, depending on the mission's performance requirements. The specific recovery plan for USSF-xxx ("R-2") had not been detailed at the time of writing.

Why this launch matters

National-security launches underscore the growing role of commercial providers in defense spaceflight. SpaceX has become a primary launch partner for the U.S. Space Force under the National Security Space Launch program, and every Vandenberg flight expands the roster of high-inclination military assets in orbit. Launch data for this mission is sourced from The Space Devs Launch Library.

Follow USSF-xxx ("R-2") live and watch the Falcon 9 climb toward orbit on Cosmik's real-time 3D map. Enable free launch alerts on our rocket launch tracker so you never miss a liftoff.