SpaceX launches USSF-385 mission for U.S. Space Force from Vandenberg

Booster B1096 completes 10th flight as SpaceX expands Starshield series

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket Saturday morning from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on a classified mission for the U.S. Space Force designated USSF-385.

The rocket lifted off at 7 a.m. PDT from Space Launch Complex 4-East and headed south after launch, according to Space Flight Now. The booster, tail number B1096, completed its 10th flight and returned to a landing on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean.

SpaceX said its customer asked that the rocket’s payload and second stage not be shown. The company did not release further details about what the rocket carried.

According to Space Flight Now, the mission is believed to be the third in a series of flights deploying Starshield satellites — a version of Starlink satellites built for government use.

A prior mission in the series, USSF-259, launched Sept. 17 to a different orbit, Space Flight Now reported. That flight appeared to carry 17 satellites.