SpaceX Launches Classified USSF-259 Mission from Vandenberg, Lands 662nd Booster

SpaceX launched the classified USSF-259 mission for the U.S. Space Force from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base at 6:07 p.m. PDT on Sept 16, 2026 (01:07 UTC Sept 17) — a day after standing down from the original Sept 15 attempt prior to fueling, with no reason disclosed. The Falcon 9 first stage, B1097, flew for a record 13th time; it previously launched Sentinel-6B, Twilight, NROL-172, Transporter-17 and eight Starlink missions. About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, B1097 landed on the 'Of Course I Still Love You' droneship in the Pacific — SpaceX's 662nd booster landing, its 108th Falcon-family launch of 2026, and its third national-security Vandenberg launch in a month.