SpaceX Launches Classified USSF-385 Mission, Landing Falcon 9 Booster for 10th Time
Updated
Updated · Space.com · Sep 26
SpaceX Launches Classified USSF-385 Mission, Landing Falcon 9 Booster for 10th Time
3 articles · Updated · Space.com · Sep 26
Summary
A Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg at 10 a.m. EDT carrying the classified USSF-385 mission for the U.S. Space Force, marking SpaceX’s third national-security launch this month.
8.5 minutes after liftoff, the first stage landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific, completing the 10th flight and recovery for booster B1100.
USSF-385’s payload and destination were not disclosed, and SpaceX ended its webcast shortly after booster touchdown — its standard practice for classified missions.
16 days have now produced three Space Force launches from Vandenberg — after USSF-153 on Sept. 10 and USSF-259 on Sept. 16 — underscoring a brisk military launch cadence.
108 Falcon 9 missions have flown in 2026 so far, with about 75% devoted to Starlink, as SpaceX also prepares a Sept. 28 Starship test aiming for the rocket’s first orbit.