TBD Mission ID: d9adedc4-8fa1-4a36-84f9-43b8893a6865

Falcon 9 Block 5 | SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer E

Tranche 1 Transport Layer E is one of six missions by the United States Space Force Space Development Agency (SDA) for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer constellation, which will provide assured, resilient, low-latency military data and connectivity worldwide to the full range of warfighter platforms from Low Earth Orbit satellites. The constellation will be interconnected with Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISLs) which have significantly increased performance over existing radio frequency crosslinks. It is expected to operate over Ka band, have stereo coverage and be dynamically networked for simpler hand-offs, greater bandwidth and fault tolerance.

Mission Profile

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Launch Date

Mar 31

2026

schedule

Time

00:00

UTC

rocket

Rocket

Falcon 9

Block 5

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Site

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ll-pad-16

public

Orbit

Polar Orbit

history Launch Timeline

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T-38:00

Go for Prop Load

Launch Director gives go for propellant load.

T-35:00

Prop Load

Loading of RP-1 (kerosene) and liquid oxygen (LOX) begins.

T-07:00

Engine Chill

Liquid oxygen flows through the engines to condition them for ignition.

T-01:00

Startup

Flight computer takes control; propellant tanks pressurize for flight.

T-00:45

Go for Launch

Final verification from Launch Director.

T-00:03

Ignition

The 9 Merlin engines ignite.

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T-00:00

Liftoff

Rocket clamps release; Falcon 9 lifts off.

T+01:12

Max Q

Peak aerodynamic pressure (maximum mechanical stress).

T+02:26

MECO

Main Engine Cutoff: first stage engines shut down.

T+02:30

Stage Separation

Booster separates from the second stage.

T+02:37

SES-1

Second stage engine start (Merlin Vacuum ignition).

T+02:40

Fairing Jettison

Payload fairing separates (not applicable for Dragon missions).

T+02:45

Booster Flip Maneuver

First stage flips 180° using attitude control thrusters for reentry.

T+02:45

Second Stage Ascent

Second stage continues accelerating toward orbital velocity.

T+06:10

Booster Entry Burn

Three engines fire to slow the booster during atmospheric entry.

T+06:10

Second Stage Burn

Second stage engine continues burning toward the target orbit.

T+08:00

Booster Landing Burn

Single center engine fires to decelerate for landing.

T+08:00

SECO-1

Second Engine Cutoff: parking orbit achieved.

T+08:10

Booster Touchdown

Booster lands on the recovery platform (e.g., a drone ship).

T+08:10

Coasting

Vehicle coasts in orbit before deployment or further burns.

T+12:00

Crew Dragon Separation (typical)

Crew Dragon separates from the second stage (typical timing).

T+32:00

GTO Deployment (typical)

After coasting and a restart (SES-2), payload deploys (typical timing).

T+15:00–T+60:00

Starlink Deployment Window (typical)

Deployment timing varies by mission; this is a typical window.

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SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer E

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Mission Payload

Spacecraft Falcon 9 Block 5

Mass

Payload Manifest

Coming soon...