SpaceX F9 : Starlink Group 4-6 : KSC LC-39A : 18/19 January 2022

[gongora]

Thread for the Starlink 4-6 launch from Florida.

NSF Threads for Starlink 4-6: Discussion

Successful launch January 18, 2022 at 9:02pm EST (02:02 UTC on the 19th) from from LC-39A on booster 1060-10.  ASDS landing on ASOG was successful..

Payload 49 Starlink satellites to 53.2 degree inclination on SE trajectory.  Initial orbit of ~210x339km.  On the Starlink Group 4-5 webcast it was mentioned that the southeast trajectory is to increase the recovery weather availability for the booster and fairings during the winter months.

SpaceX is targeting Monday, January 17 for a Falcon 9 launch of 49 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 7:26 p.m. EST (00:36 UTC on January 18), and a backup opportunity is available on Tuesday, January 18 at 7:04 p.m. EST (00:04 UTC on January 19).

The booster supporting this mission previously launched GPS III-3, Turksat 5A, Transporter-2, and six Starlink missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. Each of Falcon 9’s fairing halves previously supported one Starlink mission.

Please use the Starlink Discussion Thread for all general discussion on Starlink.

Check the Starlink Index Thread for links to more Starlink information.

L2 SpaceX:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=60.0

From a previous mission's Press Kit:

Each Starlink satellite weights approximately 260 kg and features a compact, flat-panel design that minimizes volume, allowing for a dense launch stack to take full advantage of Falcon 9’s launch capabilities. With four powerful phased array and two parabolic antennas on each satellite ... At end of their life cycle, the satellites will utilize their on-board propulsion system to deorbit over the course of a few months. In the unlikely event their propulsion system becomes inoperable, the satellites will burn up in Earth’s atmosphere within 1-5 years, significantly less than the hundreds or thousands of years required at higher altitudes. Further, Starlink components are designed for full demisability.

Starlink is targeting service to near global coverage of the populated world by 2021. Additional information on the system can be found at starlink.com.

[crandles57]

2 more Starlink launches from 39A. So presumably approx 18/19th and 30/31 Jan?

[Conexion Espacial]

2 more Starlink launches from 39A. So presumably approx 18/19th and 30/31 Jan?

Looking at the LC-40 manifest, I would say that the remaining two Starlink missions will be from LC-39A.

[spacevalley27]

I hate not finding the right place to ask a question but I'll try here: will the Starlink 4-2 mission ever be done? Pure curiosity about the numeration

For the mods: feel free to move in case there is a more suitable thread.

[Conexion Espacial]

I hate not finding the right place to ask a question but I'll try here: will the Starlink 4-2 mission ever be done? Pure curiosity about the numeration

For the mods: feel free to move in case there is a more suitable thread.

Starlink 4-2 and Starlink 2-2 have been delayed for quite some time, but I guess if they will be launched, it will depend on the allocations we see in the FCC licenses.

[RocketLover0119]

Core plus stage 2 on the roll today. 2 weeks exactly until CSG-2 which seems like too little time, so this could be the next Starlink mission or the one after. https://twitter.com/nasa8500/status/1480601163393286152?s=21

[lenny97]

Core plus stage 2 on the roll today. 2 weeks exactly until CSG-2 which seems like too little time, so this could be the next Starlink mission or the one after. https://twitter.com/nasa8500/status/1480601163393286152?s=21

Isn't also true that the road in front of the VAB goes to 39A?
CSG-2 is scheduled on SLC-40...

[zubenelgenubi]

Core plus stage 2 on the roll today. 2 weeks exactly until CSG-2 which seems like too little time, so this could be the next Starlink mission or the one after.

Walking out of one of the offices and look what I bumped into … Just another Monday at work!

Filthy first stage!

Can anyone identify it by markings or "soot-ology"?

[gongora]

Core plus stage 2 on the roll today. 2 weeks exactly until CSG-2 which seems like too little time

What do you mean "too little time"?  How long do you think it takes to launch a fully integrated vehicle?  They can turn around SLC-40 in less than two weeks, and that pad only supports one vehicle at a time.

[RocketLover0119]

Core plus stage 2 on the roll today. 2 weeks exactly until CSG-2 which seems like too little time

What do you mean "too little time"?  How long do you think it takes to launch a fully integrated vehicle?  They can turn around SLC-40 in less than two weeks, and that pad only supports one vehicle at a time.

Very true, however I only just realized this was heading to 39a, which now makes even more sense that this core is for this mission.

[realnouns]

Core plus stage 2 on the roll today. 2 weeks exactly until CSG-2 which seems like too little time

What do you mean "too little time"?  How long do you think it takes to launch a fully integrated vehicle?  They can turn around SLC-40 in less than two weeks, and that pad only supports one vehicle at a time.

Very true, however I only just realized this was heading to 39a, which now makes even more sense that this core is for this mission.

Not necessarily going to LC-39A.  It's actually a mile shorter going past the Kennedy VAB to SLC-40 from Hangar X

[spacevalley27]

It's a hypothesis, but I wouldn't rule it out also because I think the source is pretty reliable (it's still his hypothesis but it might not be outlandish).

I think it is difficult to be sure, however, we have to wait.

https://twitter.com/alexphysics13/status/1480620949170966528?s=21

[zubenelgenubi]

From Spaceflight Now, dated Jan 6:

Two more Falcon 9 flights with Starlink satellites are slated this month, bringing the total tally to seven missions on the range schedule at Cape Canaveral. Launch dates for the next two Starlink missions were unavailable Thursday.

In a press release this week, the Space Force said five of the seven launches planned this month will head southeast or south from Cape Canaveral...[includes the two Starlink launches previously mentioned in quote]

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/  [dated Jan 5]

January • Falcon 9 • Starlink
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
...
Jan. 24 • Falcon 9 • CSG 2
Launch time: Approx. 2311:12 GMT (6:11:12 p.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
...
January • Falcon 9 • Starlink
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/5337

Starlink Group 4-6
Launch Time
NET January, 2022

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/5338

Starlink Group 4-7
Launch Time
NET January, 2022

[scr00chy]

http://www.launchphotography.com/Launch_Viewing_Guide.html

Other upcoming launches include more batches of Starlink satellites from pad 39A on mid-January TBA.

[Raul]

Corresponding active NOTAM in Johannesburg Oceanic information region for Stage2 reentry refers to primary launch date NET 17 Jan.

JOHANNESBURG OCEANIC
NOTAM #: A0108/22   Class: International   Status: Active   Issue Date UTC: 01/11/2022 1715   Start Date UTC: 01/17/2022 2344   End Date UTC: 01/22/2022 0537
A0108/22 NOTAMN
Q) FAJO/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/4916S02253E999
A) FAJO B) 2201172344 C) 2201220537
D) DLY 2344-0537
E) (5000S 01000W, 5105S 00043E, 5046S 01454E, 5033S 02134E, 4652S
03917E, 4319S 05025E, 4437S 05106E, 5416S 01806E, 5422S 00406E, 5244S
00043E, 5428S 00431W, 5348S 01000W, 2000S 01000W): ROCKET RE-ENTRY
OPS TAKING PLACE.
F) SFC G) UNL

[lenny97]

Corresponding active NOTAM in Johannesburg Oceanic information region for Stage2 reentry refers to primary launch date NET 17 Jan.

JOHANNESBURG OCEANIC
NOTAM #: A0108/22   Class: International   Status: Active   Issue Date UTC: 01/11/2022 1715   Start Date UTC: 01/17/2022 2344   End Date UTC: 01/22/2022 0537
A0108/22 NOTAMN
Q) FAJO/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/4916S02253E999
A) FAJO B) 2201172344 C) 2201220537
D) DLY 2344-0537
E) (5000S 01000W, 5105S 00043E, 5046S 01454E, 5033S 02134E, 4652S
03917E, 4319S 05025E, 4437S 05106E, 5416S 01806E, 5422S 00406E, 5244S
00043E, 5428S 00431W, 5348S 01000W, 2000S 01000W): ROCKET RE-ENTRY
OPS TAKING PLACE.
F) SFC G) UNL

And this one quotes exactly: STARLINK 4-6 Debris.
Same dates.

A0053/22 NOTAMN Q) SUEO/QRDCA/IV/BO /W /000/999/3748S04632W233 A) SUEO B) 2201172344  C) 2201220537 E) ..D.. ACT DUE TO FALLING DEBRIS OF STARLINK 4-6 ROCKET, AREA FORMED BY THE UNION OF THE FLW COORD: 355900S0502200W-352800S0495800W-371600S0452700W-390000S0422700W-39000 0S0442900W-400000S0445900W-384500S0482300W-355900S0502200W (ATLANTIC OCEAN) F) GND  G) UNL

[Ken the Bin]

From the latest FAA ATCSCC Operations Plan:

PRIMARY:        18/0016-0323Z    -STARLINK 4-6
BACKUP          18/2304-0301Z
BACKUP          19/2243-0330Z
BACKUP          20/2221-0308Z
BACKUP          21/2159-0246Z

https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_otherdis.jsp?advn=16&adv_date=01122022&facId=DCC&title=OPERATIONS+PLAN&titleDate=01/12/22

[vaporcobra]

From the latest FAA ATCSCC Operations Plan:

PRIMARY:        18/0016-0323Z    -STARLINK 4-6

Just for posterity, that's 7:16pm-10:23pm EST, January 17th.

[Elthiryel]

From Ben Cooper's website:

Falcon 9 will launch the next batch of Starlink satellites from pad 39A on January 17 around 7:30pm EST.

[update Jan 12]

[Zed_Noir]

Will Group 4-6 lofted up 49 Starlink v1.5 comsats like for Group 4-5?