USSF-153: SpaceX Launches Classified Satellite For US Space Force

SpaceX Falcon 9 launched the classified USSF-153 mission on Thursday (Sept. 1) at 1542 UTC from Space Launch Complex 4E(SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base, carrying carried an undisclosed payload to low Earth orbit (LEO) for the U.S. Space Force.

The Falcon 9 first-stage booster, B1081, completed its 27th flight, after executing a precision landing on the autonomous droneship 'Of Course I Still Love You' in the Pacific Ocean about 8.5 minutes after liftoff, marking the 660th overall Falcon 9 booster recovery. Residents in surrounding California counties reported hearing sonic booms as the booster returned through the atmosphere at supersonic speeds.

USSF-153 is a classified mission, with industry analysts suggesting the cargo likely consists of classified satellites potentially utilizing SpaceX’s Starshield platform, based on trajectory similarities to previous Starlink deployments.

"Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts," SpaceX wrote in a description of the Starshield program.

Due to the classified nature of the flight, post-launch telemetry and orbital parameters were withheld, with SpaceX's livestream ending shortly after the booster's recovery.

This operation marked the 104th Falcon 9 mission of 2026 and served as the fifth national security launch for the company this year, following missions such as NROL-105 and USSF-366.