SpaceX successfully launched its second classified mission for the U.S. Space Force (USSF) in just six days. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on November 11, 2026, at 11:36 PM EST (01:36 GMT on November 12).
Mysterious Missions for Defense
Designated USSF-627, this mission marked the second such deployment in less than a week, following the USSF-432 mission that launched from the same base on November 6. While details surrounding both missions are classified, experts speculate they may involve the deployment of SpaceX’s Starshield satellites, intended for military target-tracking programs. SpaceX has not disclosed any specifics about these launches, and broadcasts were terminated immediately after the first-stage boosters returned.
Launch Technicals
The Falcon 9 first stage successfully landed on the autonomous drone ship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ in the Pacific Ocean approximately 8.5 minutes after launch. This particular booster, designated 1103, completed its seventh flight. The USSF-627 launch was the 120th Falcon 9 flight of 2026 and the 15th national security launch for the year. Notably, 85 of the 120 launches were dedicated to deploying SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, which now comprises over 11,000 satellites.
