SpaceX Targets Early Monday for Transporter-16 Rideshare Launch from Vandenberg

UPDATE: SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket for the Transporter-16 mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 4:02 a.m. on Monday, March 30.

SpaceX is targeting Monday, March 30, 2026, for the launch of its Transporter-16 rideshare mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg SFB. Liftoff is set for 4:02 a.m. PT, with additional opportunities available until 4:16 a.m., SpaceX said.

The U.S. Space Force has approved a broader launch window from 3:20 to 4:17 a.m. PT. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Tuesday, March 31, during a 57-minute window opening at 3:19 a.m. PT.

A live webcast is scheduled to begin shortly before liftoff and will stream at www.spacex.com/launches/transporter-16, on X @SpaceX, and on the X TV app.

Transporter-16 is a dedicated smallsat rideshare flight carrying 119 payloads, including cubesats, microsats, hosted payloads, a reentry vehicle, and orbital transfer vehicles that will later deploy eight of those payloads. Across its Rideshare program, SpaceX has launched more than 1,600 payloads to orbit to date.

The mission’s Falcon 9 first stage will be flying for the 12th time, having previously launched SDA T1TL-B, SDA T1TL-C, and nine Starlink missions. After stage separation, the booster will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

Residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, though what is experienced will depend on weather and other conditions.

Vandenberg Space Force Base serves as a vital hub for space access and advanced air and space testing. In addition to operating an active spaceport, Vandenberg Guardians and Airmen support missions including nuclear deterrence, homeland defense, global command and control of space assets, orbital tracking, and training the next generation of space operations Guardians and nuclear Airmen.