T-ZERO Launch tracker

USSF-481 launch time, date and countdown

Success Oct 15, 2026, 7:01 PM CDT

Launch complete

Recorded launch time: (Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 00:01 UTC)

Launch details

US Central
UTC
Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 00:01 UTC
Launch window
6:44 PM CDT – 10:44 PM CDT
23:44 UTC – Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 03:44 UTC
Status
Success Launch Successful
Provider
SpaceX (Commercial)
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Mission
USSF-481
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 · landed

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

About this launch

USSF-481 is a launch of the Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket operated by SpaceX. The recorded launch time was Thu, Oct 15, 2026, 7:01 PM CDT (Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 00:01 UTC). The launch window runs 6:44 PM CDT – 10:44 PM CDT (23:44 UTC – Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 03:44 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 “Launch Successful”.

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.

Official webcast

Official webcast: The Space Devs – SpaceX USSF-481

Trouble playing? Open on YouTube

Stream hosted by the provider on YouTube. T-ZERO is unofficial and not affiliated.

Webcast links (open on an external site):

What to expect from USSF-481

USSF-481 used a Falcon 9 Block 5 and lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA; the launch provider was SpaceX.

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

T-ZERO currently lists 49 launches of the Falcon 9 Block 5: 13 completed (all 13 successful); 36 upcoming. SpaceX has 54 launches across 3 rockets in our data, about 39% of the 140 launches we list. Space Launch Complex 4E is listed for 34 other launches in our data. Treat the numbers as a recent snapshot: T-ZERO stores about two months of past launches plus the upcoming schedule.

Timing

This launch is complete. The page keeps the recorded time, Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 00:01 UTC. Its listed status is “Launch Successful”.

Recorded launch time in other time zones

Launch time in several time zones
UTCFri, Oct 16, 12:01 AM UTC
US EasternThu, Oct 15, 8:01 PM EDT
US CentralThu, Oct 15, 7:01 PM CDT
US PacificThu, Oct 15, 5:01 PM PDT
United KingdomFri, Oct 16, 1:01 AM BST
IndiaFri, Oct 16, 5:31 AM IST
JapanFri, Oct 16, 9:01 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 3 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.

Nearest viewing spots we have checked:

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

Frequently asked questions about USSF-481

What was the launch time of USSF-481?

The recorded launch time was Thu, Oct 15, 2026, 7:01 PM CDT (Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 00:01 UTC).

Where did USSF-481 launch from?

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 rocket launched USSF-481?

Falcon 9 Block 5 from SpaceX. In T-ZERO’s data the Falcon 9 Block 5 has 49 launches: 13 completed and 36 upcoming.

Where can I find coverage of USSF-481?

Launch Library 2 lists 3 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.

Which orbit was USSF-481 headed to?

Launch Library 2 lists the target orbit as Polar Orbit.

Reminders

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