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Science · Space exploration · published 2026-09-26 · via KeepTrack

SpaceX Readies Another Classified Starshield Mission From Vandenberg

Image via KeepTrack
Image via KeepTrack

SpaceX is preparing to launch USSF-385 from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Saturday as part of a classified Starshield buildout for the U.S. Space Force. The flight follows three recent Starshield missions, two of which each placed 23 satellites into orbit and one that carried 17 satellites to a different orbital plane. The Starlink network currently has 11,121 working satellites, and ten listed Starlink conjunction alerts were marked as based on suspect tracking data.

Expanded Detail

The upcoming USSF-385 flight is scheduled for Saturday from Vandenberg’s SLC-4E, using a Falcon 9 to send a secret Space Force payload on a southerly path. Earlier Starshield missions included two with 23 spacecraft cataloged and another with 17 sent to a separate orbit. That makes four security-focused launches in 43 days from one pad.

Booster B1100 will make its tenth trip and target the droneship Of Course I Still Love You. Starlink’s current count is 12,962 launched, 11,135 in orbit, and 11,121 functioning. Ten conjunction listings involving Starlink are flagged as based on questionable tracking, and seven Starlink craft have predicted reentries.

Context

The launch may reinforce reliance on private firms for national-security space access, affecting military

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.
Read the full article at KeepTrack →
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This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “USSF-385 Caps 4 Starshield Launches in 43 Days, X Report 26 Sep 2026.” Browse more stories.