SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 10-12 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 18 February 2025 (23:21 UTC)

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Thread for the Starlink Group 10-12 launch.

Launch 18 February 2025, at 23:21:50 UTC (6:21 pm EST), from CCSFS SLC-40, on booster 1080-16. The first stage has successfully landed aboard Just Read The Instructions.

Payload 23 Starlink V2 Mini satellites, to a 53.16 degree inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit 274 x 285 km.

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

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

[Galactic Penguin SST]

From https://www.cadenaois.org/vpublic_anspdetail.jsp?view=15# (Master Slide Deck - file attached) - now this launch is interesting as it has a different launch trajectory than recent Starlink launches from the Cape, reviving to a certain extent the plans last year of having the booster land on ASDS in the middle of the Bahamas near the Exuma islands, but not quite the same zones as those were filed in 2024.

[randomname]

NGA rocket launching notice for this launch. Plotted hazard zone B from the notice out of curiosity, interesting to note that the estimated booster landing location will be only ~35 kilometers away from the populated (only ~100 people as of 2018, but still populated) town of Freetown, and only ~45 kilometers away from Rock Sound, with a population of ~1000. Should be some pretty incredible views of re-entry and landing for locals.

152132Z JAN 25
NAVAREA IV 98/25(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   242245Z TO 250315Z JAN, ALTERNATE
   2245Z TO 0315Z DAILY 25 THRU 31 JAN
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39.00N 080-37.69W, 28-39.00N 080-27.00W,
      28-22.00N 080-11.00W, 28-20.00N 080-15.00W,
      28-29.72N 080-32.67W.
   B. 25-12.00N 077-04.00W, 25-13.00N 076-58.00W,
      24-52.00N 076-31.00W, 24-20.00N 076-06.00W,
      24-15.00N 075-49.00W, 24-12.00N 075-38.00W,
      24-08.00N 075-34.00W, 23-59.00N 075-31.00W,
      23-52.00N 075-36.00W, 23-47.00N 075-51.00W,
      23-50.00N 076-05.00W, 23-56.00N 076-11.00W,
      24-14.00N 076-12.00W, 24-43.00N 076-41.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 310415Z JAN 25.

[randomname]

The notice mentioned above has been canceled. Not a great sign, but we'll have to wait and see.

192225Z JAN 25
NAVAREA IV 101/25(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
CANCEL NAVAREA IV 98/25 AND THIS MSG,
OPERATIONS CANCELLED.

[Martin_G]

https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jsp:

SPACEX STARLINK 10-12, CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:   01/24/25   2245Z-0315Z
BACKUP:      01/25/25   2245Z-0315Z

[Ron Lee]

If that launch path goes over Grand Bahama island that does not seem responsible especially after IFT-7.

[catdlr]

If that launch path goes over Grand Bahama island that does not seem responsible especially after IFT-7.

This is not a test vehicle; it's a proven launch vehicle for hundreds of flights.  The local governments were alerted, and they permitted this long ago.

[zubenelgenubi]

From https://www.cadenaois.org/vpublic_anspdetail.jsp?view=15# (Master Slide Deck - file attached) - now this launch is interesting as it has a different launch trajectory than recent Starlink launches from the Cape, reviving to a certain extent the plans last year of having the booster land on ASDS in the middle of the Bahamas near the Exuma islands, but not quite the same zones as those were filed in 2024.

See thread Bahamas Ministry to allow SpaceX dronships to land F9 at Exumas in the SpaceX General forum section.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

The notice mentioned above has been canceled. Not a great sign, but we'll have to wait and see.

192225Z JAN 25
NAVAREA IV 101/25(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
CANCEL NAVAREA IV 98/25 AND THIS MSG,
OPERATIONS CANCELLED.

And the only NOTAMs released (A0174 & 0175/25 for 2nd stage re-entry) has been cancelled so this must have been delayed.

A separate source now lists another Starlink Group (12-7, using the normal SE launch corridor) launching from SLC-40 NET January 27.

[zubenelgenubi]

As of January 27: Spainsat-NG I, Starlink 12-3, and WorldView Legion Flight 3 scheduled to launch January 30, February 3, and February 3, all UTC, respectively.

Launch NET February, also as of January 27.

[zubenelgenubi]

As of February 5 UTC:
No rescheduling news.

[ZachS09]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1887992256277397871

Targeting Monday, February 17 for Falcon 9’s first droneship landing off the coast of @VisitTheBahamas.

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1887992362280091701

Our new landing collaboration with The Bahamas will enable Falcon 9 to launch to new orbital trajectories.

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1887992502860529965

Delegates from The Bahamas visited SpaceX facilities in Florida today ahead of launch on the 17th, carrying a Bahamian flag that Falcon 9 flew to and from space in March 2024.

[raptorx2]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1887992256277397871

Targeting Monday, February 17 for Falcon 9’s first droneship landing off the coast of @VisitTheBahamas.

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1887992362280091701

Our new landing collaboration with The Bahamas will enable Falcon 9 to launch to new orbital trajectories.

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1887992502860529965

Delegates from The Bahamas visited SpaceX facilities in Florida today ahead of launch on the 17th, carrying a Bahamian flag that Falcon 9 flew to and from space in March 2024.

Is this to 53 or 70 degrees?

[Galactic Penguin SST]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1887992256277397871

Targeting Monday, February 17 for Falcon 9’s first droneship landing off the coast of @VisitTheBahamas.

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1887992362280091701

Our new landing collaboration with The Bahamas will enable Falcon 9 to launch to new orbital trajectories.

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1887992502860529965

Delegates from The Bahamas visited SpaceX facilities in Florida today ahead of launch on the 17th, carrying a Bahamian flag that Falcon 9 flew to and from space in March 2024.

Is this to 53 or 70 degrees?

53.

[raptorx2]

I assume that since they claim that this will allow them to launch to new trajectories.  They are referring to polar 70 and 96.9. Since they have the capability to launch to 53 degrees to the North?  SpaceX did launch an Argentine satellite to polar from Eastern Range back in 2020.  But, that was RTLS.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Launching on B1080.16.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-10-12

SpaceX is targeting Monday, February 17 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 6:00 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 10:00 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Saturday, February 18, starting at 6:00 p.m. ET.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about ten minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.

This is the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, Astra 1P, NG-21, and 9 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of The Bahamas.

There is the possibility that residents of and visitors to The Bahamas may hear one or more sonic booms during the landing, but what may be experienced will depend on weather and other conditions.

[Steven Pietrobon]

PDF of online press kit.

[zubenelgenubi]

After the fact

Which first stage will be used for this launch? (semi-rhetorical question)

Falcon 9 first stages are now cleared for use up to forty times for non-crewed launches, although that number is apparently more restricted for Cargo Dragon or Cygnus than these other payloads.

Available first stages, with UTC date of most recent recovery:
1072.2    Jun 25   ?
1069.21  Nov 21  Starlink 12-3
1090.2    Dec 17   (hold back for ISS cargo or crew?)
1078.17  Dec 31  Starlink 12-9
1077.18  Jan 6    Starlink 12-18
1086.4    Jan 8     WorldView Legion Flight 3
1067.25  Jan 10  Starlink 12-8
1080.16  Jan 13
1085.6    Jan 15
1083.9    Jan 21
1076.21  Jan 27
1073.22  Jan 30
1069.22  Feb 4     (maybe)
1086.5    Feb 4     (maybe)

It's B1080.16, skipping B1072.2, B1090.2, and B1077.18.


My bold:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, February 7:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 8 at 1:23-5:08 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 11 at 12:00-4:00 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 14 at 12:26-4:26 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 17. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the IM-2 lunar lander for NASA & Intuitive Machines from pad 39A on February 26 at 7:17 p.m. EST. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch NASA's Crew-10 to the International Space Station from pad 39A on mid-March, in the evening EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Now delayed to NET February 18 per the SpaceX mission page:

SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, February 18 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 6:00 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 10:00 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Wednesday, February 19, starting at 6:00 p.m. ET.

[randomname]

NGA rocket launching notice for this launch. Identical zones to the previous notice for this launch from a few weeks ago.

102224Z FEB 25
NAVAREA IV 184/25(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   182300Z TO 190330Z FEB, ALTERNATE
   2300Z TO 0330Z DAILY 19 THRU 23
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39.00N 080-37.69W, 28-39.00N 080-27.00W,
      28-22.00N 080-11.00W, 28-20.00N 080-15.00W,
      28-29.72N 080-32.67W.
   B. 25-12.00N 077-04.00W, 25-13.00N 076-58.00W,
      24-52.00N 076-31.00W, 24-20.00N 076-06.00W,
      24-15.00N 075-49.00W, 24-12.00N 075-38.00W,
      24-08.00N 075-34.00W, 23-59.00N 075-31.00W,
      23-52.00N 075-36.00W, 23-47.00N 075-51.00W,
      23-50.00N 076-05.00W, 23-56.00N 076-11.00W,
      24-14.00N 076-12.00W, 24-43.00N 076-41.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 240430Z FEB 25.