File: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is seen in the launch position at Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base on Jan. 16, 2026, ahead of the launch of the NROL-105 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. Image: SpaceX
SpaceX is preparing to fly its latest national security payload for the United States Space Force with a Falcon 9 rocket launch scheduled for Thursday morning.
The mission, designated USSF-153, will carry an undisclosed number of satellites to low Earth orbit. Because of the nature of the flight, SpaceX didn’t publish a post-launch timeline beyond the booster landing nearly 8.5 minutes into flight.
Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base is scheduled during a three-hour window that opens at 8:37 a.m. PDT (1137 a.m. EDT / 1537 UTC).
Spaceflight Now will have live coverage beginning about 30 minutes prior to liftoff.
