SpaceX Launches Mysterious Classified US Space Force Mission from California
A Falcon 9 rocket carrying an unannounced payload for the USSF lifted off early Saturday, sparking sonic booms across coastal communities.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a classified mission for the U.S. Space Force from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on Saturday morning. Residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties reported hearing sonic booms around the time of the 7 a.m. liftoff.
The mission, designated USSF-385, is shrouded in secrecy, with its specific purpose, destination, and activities remaining classified, as is typical for national security launches. SpaceX typically cuts its webcast short for such missions, as it did in this instance.
The rocket's booster successfully landed on a SpaceX drone ship stationed in the Pacific Ocean approximately eight and a half minutes after launch. This event marks the third classified Space Force mission SpaceX has conducted from Vandenberg within a span of just 16 days, following launches on September 10 and September 16.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket has become a workhorse for the company, surpassing 100 launches this year alone. A significant portion of these missions, about three-quarters, have been dedicated to deploying satellites for its Starlink internet service. The Starlink constellation has grown to include over 11,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit.
Separately, SpaceX is preparing for a significant milestone with its Starship program. The company's website indicates that the 14th Starship flight is scheduled for Monday, with the ambitious goal of being the first to send the massive rocket into Earth's orbit.