Falcon 9 launched USSF-432 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on 7 November 2026 at 00:48 UTC. Outcome: success. Operator: SpaceX.
SpaceX launched the USSF-432 mission for the United States Space Force on 7 November 2026, a classified national security flight. Details of the payload have not been officially disclosed. Based on the orbital characteristics and rocket stage drop zones, observers have speculated that the mission may have deployed a batch of classified low Earth orbit satellites built on SpaceX's Starshield satellite bus, with the drop zones matching those of previous Starlink Group 15 launches.
The mission flew on a Falcon 9 Block 5 booster lifting off from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Vandenberg, located on the central coast of California, is the primary West Coast launch site for polar and high-inclination orbits and is frequently used for national security missions. Recent reporting indicated several scheduled dates for the launch, including November 2, November 6, and November 7, reflecting the typical weather and readiness adjustments that accompany such flights.
The launch was successful. Notably, the mission was publicized by SpaceX, which shared a live-watch link on social media, a practice the company uses for many of its missions, including classified ones. The flight continues SpaceX's role as a major contractor for U.S. government space launches, though the lack of official payload disclosure means many mission specifics remain unconfirmed.