SpaceX has successfully carried out another launch of its heavy Falcon 9 rocket as part of the classified USSF-385 mission. Liftoff took place on September 26, 2026, at 07:00 local time from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This event marked another important milestone in fulfilling the company's contractual obligations to the United States Space Force.
Details of the Classified USSF-385 Mission
The characteristics of the payload deployed during the USSF-385 mission, as well as its specific objectives, are strictly classified by military agencies. The exact parameters of the target orbit have also not been publicly disclosed. Despite the veil of secrecy, aerospace industry experts note the high importance of such launches for ensuring national security and strengthening specialized orbital constellations.
Following standard first-stage separation, the launch vehicle continued deploying the payload into the designated trajectory. Meanwhile, the returning booster performed a successful landing approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff. Notably, the booster designated as 1100 completed its milestone tenth launch and successful return to Earth. Previously, this same booster was utilized for the classified NROL-95 mission and eight commercial Starlink satellite internet deployment missions.
Platfrom Landing and Sonic Boom Effects
A successful controlled landing of the first stage was executed on the specialized autonomous droneship named 'Of Course I Still Love You', which had taken position in the designated area of the Pacific Ocean beforehand. The reusability of expensive rocket components continues to prove its economic efficiency and reliability as part of SpaceX's strategy to lower the cost of space flight.
While breaking the sound barrier, residents of neighboring Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties could clearly hear one or multiple sonic booms. The intensity and audibility of these acoustic effects depended directly on prevailing weather conditions, flight trajectory, and the altitude of the vehicle passing through the atmosphere.
SpaceX Launch Statistics in 2026
Taking this latest launch into account, the total number of Falcon family rocket flights in 2026 has already reached 108 missions. Notably, approximately 75% of this year's total launches are traditionally dedicated to deploying and expanding the global Starlink satellite constellation, highlighting the extraordinary launch cadence maintained by Elon Musk's aerospace company.
