SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118 launch time, date and countdown
TBD 2026 (date TBD)
No launch date has been set yet (listed as 2026). The countdown starts once a date is announced.
Launch details
- Target
- 2026 (date TBD)
- Status
- TBD To Be Determined
- Provider
- United Launch Alliance (Commercial)
- Rocket
- Vulcan
- Mission
- SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118
- Mission type
- Government/Top Secret
- Orbit
- Geostationary Orbit
- Pad
- Space Launch Complex 41
- Location
- Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
- Country code
- USA
Times can change. Central time is America/Chicago (CST/CDT). Source: Launch Library 2.
About this launch
SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118 is a launch of the Vulcan rocket operated by United Launch Alliance. No launch date has been set yet. Launch Library 2 currently lists it as no earlier than 2026, so the date and time shown on this page are placeholders until a real date is announced. The launch site is Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA. The target orbit is Geostationary Orbit. Mission type: Government/Top Secret. Launch Library 2 lists the current status as “To Be Determined”.
Mission description
Space domain awareness mission for the US Department of Defense.
How to watch
When Launch Library 2 lists an official YouTube webcast, T-ZERO embeds it here (click play to load the YouTube player). We do not host video ourselves; the stream stays on YouTube. Launch times often move, so reload this page for the latest schedule. External links below if the player fails.
No per-launch YouTube stream is listed yet. Try the provider’s channel, which often carries the webcast when it starts:
- United Launch Alliance on YouTube channel page — may not be this launch
What to expect from SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118
SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118 is set to fly on a Vulcan from Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA, with United Launch Alliance as the launch provider.
Launch Library 2 files this under Government/Top Secret, so payload details are often limited and public information can stay thin until after liftoff.
Target orbit: Geostationary Orbit. Geostationary orbit is about 35,786 km above the equator, where a satellite stays over the same spot on Earth.
Rocket and provider in our data
T-ZERO currently lists 13 launches of the Vulcan: none completed yet; 13 upcoming. Across all rockets, United Launch Alliance appears on 15 of the 140 launches in our data (11%), using 3 rocket configurations. Space Launch Complex 41 is listed for 7 other launches in our data. These counts only cover launches from about the last two months and everything on the schedule, not the full history of the rocket or provider.
Timing
There is no firm date yet. The entry reads NET 2026, where NET means “no earlier than”; until a day is announced, treat that as a rough target only. Launch Library 2 marks the status as “TBD”, meaning the date is still open.
Watching
Florida's Space Coast has public viewing areas. Access rules, safety notes and spots are in our Florida's Space Coast viewing guide. Launch Library 2 lists 1 official webcast link for this launch; it opens on the provider’s own channel.
Where to watch this launch in person
Public viewing: Yes Florida's Space Coast. Several public beaches, parks and ticketed venues offer views of the launch pads.
Crowd estimate for this launch: Medium large vehicle (+1). An estimate from launch type and time, not a measurement.
Nearest viewing spots we have checked:
- Playalinda Beach (Canaveral National Seashore) (about 5.5 mi (8.9 km) to SLC-41 (Vulcan / Atlas V))
- Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (about 7.3 mi (11.7 km) to SLC-41 (Vulcan / Atlas V))
- Jetty Park (Cape Canaveral) (about 12.2 mi (19.7 km) to SLC-41 (Vulcan / Atlas V))
Access rules, all viewing spots, closure links and tips for Florida's Space Coast
Frequently asked questions about SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118
What time does SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118 launch?
No launch date has been set yet; Launch Library 2 lists it as no earlier than 2026.
Which launch site is used for SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118?
Launch Library 2 lists Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA. That is part of Florida's Space Coast; T-ZERO has a viewing guide for it at /where-to-watch/cape-canaveral/.
Which vehicle flies SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118?
Vulcan from United Launch Alliance. In T-ZERO’s data the Vulcan has 13 launches: 0 completed and 13 upcoming.
Where can I watch the SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118 launch live?
Launch Library 2 lists 1 official webcast link for this launch, which opens on the provider’s own channel. When a YouTube link is listed, this page can embed the official player; otherwise use the external webcast links. T-ZERO does not host the video file itself.
Which orbit is SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118 headed to?
Launch Library 2 lists the target orbit as Geostationary Orbit.
Reminders
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