T-ZERO Launch tracker

USSF-266 launch time, date and countdown

Go Nov 17, 2026, 10:58 AM CST

Countdown

Launch time: (Tue, Nov 17, 2026, 16:58 UTC)

Launch details

US Central
UTC
Tue, Nov 17, 2026, 16:58 UTC
Launch window
10:58 AM CST – 2:58 PM CST
16:58 UTC – 20:58 UTC
Status
Go Go for Launch
Provider
SpaceX (Commercial)
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Mission
USSF-266
Mission type
Government/Top Secret
Orbit
Polar Orbit
Pad
Space Launch Complex 4E
Location
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Country code
USA
Booster landing
Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) · drone ship · booster B1081 · landing planned

Times can change. Central time is America/Chicago (CST/CDT). Source: Launch Library 2.

About this launch

USSF-266 is a launch of the Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket operated by SpaceX. It is scheduled for Tue, Nov 17, 2026, 10:58 AM CST (Tue, Nov 17, 2026, 16:58 UTC). The launch window runs 10:58 AM CST – 2:58 PM CST (16:58 UTC – 20:58 UTC). The launch site is Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA. The target orbit is Polar Orbit. Mission type: Government/Top Secret. Launch Library 2 lists the current status as “Go for Launch”.

Mission description

A classified mission for the United States Space Force. It is possibly a batch of classified LEO satellites based on SpaceX’s Starshield satellite bus, based on locations of ascent rocket stage drop zones being fits with previous SDA Transport Layer launches.

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.

Webcast links (open on an external site):

Provider channel (backup):

What to expect from USSF-266

USSF-266 is set to fly on a Falcon 9 Block 5 from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA, with SpaceX 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: Polar Orbit. A polar orbit passes over or near both poles, so over time the spacecraft sees the whole surface of Earth.

Rocket and provider in our data

Falcon 9 Block 5 has 49 launches in T-ZERO’s data: 14 completed (all 14 successful), and 35 upcoming. This is the 3rd of 4 upcoming Falcon 9 Block 5 launches that have a confirmed date. Across all rockets, SpaceX appears on 54 of the 149 launches in our data (36%), using 3 rocket configurations. Space Launch Complex 4E is listed for 35 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

Read the launch time as a NET (“no earlier than”) target. If weather, a technical issue or range traffic gets in the way, the attempt slides later in the window or to another day. Launch Library 2 lists a window of 4 hours, 16:58 UTC – 20:58 UTC. The status “Go” means Launch Library 2 treats the current launch time as confirmed by an official or reliable source; it can still slip.

Launch time in other time zones

Launch time in several time zones
UTCTue, Nov 17, 4:58 PM UTC
US EasternTue, Nov 17, 11:58 AM EST
US CentralTue, Nov 17, 10:58 AM CST
US PacificTue, Nov 17, 8:58 AM PST
United KingdomTue, Nov 17, 4:58 PM GMT
IndiaTue, Nov 17, 10:28 PM IST
JapanWed, Nov 18, 1:58 AM JST

T-ZERO’s countdown above also shows your local time once the page loads. Dates can differ between zones for late-night launches.

Watching

California Central Coast has public viewing areas. Access rules, safety notes and spots are in our California Central Coast viewing guide. Launch Library 2 lists 2 official webcast links for this launch; they open on the provider’s own channel.

Where to watch this launch in person

Public viewing: Yes California Central Coast. Several public beaches, parks and ticketed venues offer views of the launch pads.

Crowd estimate for this launch: Low No adjustments. An estimate from launch type and time, not a measurement.

Nearest viewing spots we have checked:

Access rules, all viewing spots, closure links and tips for California Central Coast

Frequently asked questions about USSF-266

What is the launch date for USSF-266?

It is scheduled for Tue, Nov 17, 2026, 10:58 AM CST (Tue, Nov 17, 2026, 16:58 UTC). Times are NET (no earlier than) and can change, so check this page again close to launch.

Where is the USSF-266 launch site?

Launch Library 2 lists Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA. That is part of California Central Coast; T-ZERO has a viewing guide for it at /where-to-watch/vandenberg/.

Which vehicle flies USSF-266?

Falcon 9 Block 5 from SpaceX. In T-ZERO’s data the Falcon 9 Block 5 has 49 launches: 14 completed and 35 upcoming.

Where can I watch the USSF-266 launch live?

Launch Library 2 lists 2 official webcast links for this launch, which open 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.

How long does the USSF-266 launch window last?

Launch Library 2 lists a window of 4 hours, 16:58 UTC – 20:58 UTC.

Reminders

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