SpaceX Falcon 9 launches US military satellites into orbit

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has successfully launched a group of U.S. military satellites into orbit as part of the USSF-259 mission.

The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, Caliber.Az reports. 

SpaceX confirmed the mission in a post on X, writing: “Falcon 9 launches USSF-259 to orbit from pad 4E in California.”

Falcon 9 launches USSF-259 to orbit from pad 4E in California pic.twitter.com/eKB269BlYE

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 17, 2026

The U.S. Space Force has not publicly disclosed full details about the satellites carried by the mission. However, the payload is presumed to include satellites from Starshield, SpaceX’s satellite network designed to provide secure communications and other capabilities for government and military users.