Watch SpaceX launch classified mission for the US Space Force today

Watch SpaceX launch classified mission for the US Space Force today

space.com

SpaceX launched the USSF-153 mission for the U.S. Space Force on September 10, 2026, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Falcon 9 rocket completed the mission with a successful first-stage landing on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. While the payload remains classified, industry analysts suggest it may involve low Earth orbit satellites utilizing SpaceX's Starshield technology, which adapts Starlink capabilities for national security applications.

This was SpaceX's 104th Falcon 9 mission of 2026 and the 27th flight for this particular booster, underlining the operational efficiency of its reusable rocket technology. Of the 80 Falcon 9 flights this year dedicated to Starlink, SpaceX has now surpassed 11,000 active satellites in orbit, showcasing its ability to balance commercial and government demands.

Investment implication: SpaceX's expanding role in classified government launches highlights its increasing share of the defense market, a sector with significant barriers to entry. For you, this reinforces the need to monitor SpaceX's government contract pipeline, as its success in this area could pressure competitors like Blue Origin and ULA to innovate or adjust pricing strategies.