Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : April 22, 2020 : Discussion  (Read 61502 times)

Offline gongora

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Discussion Thread for Starlink v1.0 Flight 6.

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

NSF Threads for Starlink v1.0 Flight 6: Discussion / Updates

NSF News Articles for Starlink:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/?s=Starlink

Successful launch April 22, 2020 at 1530 EDT (1930 UTC), on Falcon 9 (booster 1051.4) from LC-39A.  ASDS landing was successful.  They did not attempt to catch the fairings in flight, but intended to fish them out of the water.  Targeting deployment orbit of 190x380km.  The first stage rocket booster supporting this mission previously supported DM-1, launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, and the fourth Starlink mission.  The fairing  previously supported launch of the AMOS-17 mission in August 2019.

Payload: A batch of 60 Starlink satellites with Ku-band and Ka-band antennas.

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

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

From the previous mission's Press Kit:
Quote
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 in the Northern U.S. and Canada in 2020, rapidly expanding to near global coverage of the populated world by 2021. Additional information on the system can be found at starlink.com.
« Last Edit: 04/22/2020 09:37 pm by gongora »

Offline DreamyPickle

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : NET April 2020
« Reply #1 on: 04/01/2020 05:11 pm »
Is there any schedule information on this launch?

SpaceX claimed they want to investigate the Merlin failure on the last flight, maybe they're hung on that?

Offline gongora

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : NET April 2020
« Reply #2 on: 04/01/2020 05:25 pm »
We don't have a date yet.  Starlink flight dates aren't being released very far ahead of time.

Offline Ken the Bin

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : NET April 2020
« Reply #3 on: 04/08/2020 01:37 pm »
From USCG information posted today:

ATLANTIC OCEAN - FLORIDA - CAPE CANAVERAL: EATERN RANGE OP# X1303 FALCON 9 STARLINK V1.0-L6

Eastern Range will be conducting hazardous operations surface to unlimited within portions of Warning Areas W497A, W497B, W137F/G, W138E,
W139E/F, W122 and the following Hazard Areas.

A: From 2838 59.35N 8037 40.62W
TO 2841N 8036W
TO 2902N 8009W
TO 2857N 8005W
TO 2842N 8018W
TO 2833N 8033W
TO 2833 14.53N 8033 57.98W to beginning

B: From 3201N 7645W
TO 3309N 7558W
TO 3331N 7526W
TO 3328N 7449W
TO 3315N 7435W
TO 3246N 7435WTO 3229N 7459W
TO 3150N 7635W to beginning

Hazard periods for primary launch day and backup launch days;

Primary launch day: 16 / 2111Z thru 16 / 2239Z Apr 20. Preferred T-0 is 2131Z
Backup launch day (1): 17 / 2051Z thru 17 / 2219Z Apr 20. Preferred T-0 is 2111Z
Backup launch day (2): 18 / 2031Z thru 18 / 2154Z Apr 20. Preferred T-0 is 2036Z
Backup launch day (3): 19 / 2006Z thru 19 / 2134Z Apr 20. Preferred T-0 is 2011Z
Backup launch day (4): 20 / 1945Z thru 20 / 2113Z Apr 20. Preferred T-0 is 1950Z
Backup launch day (5): 21 / 1925Z thru 21 / 2053Z Apr 20. Preferred T-0 is 1930Z

Offline wannamoonbase

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : NET April 16, 2020
« Reply #4 on: 04/08/2020 02:22 pm »
We don't have a date yet.  Starlink flight dates aren't being released very far ahead of time.

In the shadow of the Merlin 1D failure and the COVID crisis impacting other launches, there is a window here for more Starlink launches.

Time to put some Starlink launches on the schedule.

But maybe preps for DM2 is the focus.

Wildly optimistic prediction, Superheavy recovery on IFT-4 or IFT-5

Offline Chris Bergin

« Last Edit: 04/08/2020 02:47 pm by ChrisGebhardt »
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Offline scr00chy

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : NET April 16, 2020
« Reply #6 on: 04/08/2020 02:53 pm »

Offline ZachS09

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : NET April 16, 2020
« Reply #7 on: 04/08/2020 02:58 pm »
Why 39A again? Is SLC-40 undergoing some sort of refurbishment? Or is it something else?
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Offline gongora

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : NET April 16, 2020
« Reply #8 on: 04/08/2020 03:03 pm »
Why 39A again? Is SLC-40 undergoing some sort of refurbishment? Or is it something else?

40 had a launch scheduled at the end of March (which ended up being postponed).  It would make sense for this one to be scheduled from the other pad.
« Last Edit: 04/08/2020 03:04 pm by gongora »

Offline Elthiryel

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : NET April 16, 2020
« Reply #9 on: 04/08/2020 03:37 pm »
According to Next Spaceflight, booster 1051.4 is going to be used for this mission.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2571
GO for launch, GO for age of reflight

Offline scr00chy

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : NET April 16, 2020
« Reply #10 on: 04/08/2020 06:18 pm »
According to Next Spaceflight, booster 1051.4 is going to be used for this mission.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2571
I wonder if that booster was originally meant to be used for SAOCOM.

Offline su27k

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : April 16, 2020
« Reply #11 on: 04/10/2020 04:43 am »
https://spacenews.com/starlink-mission-scheduled-for-next-week-at-kennedy-space-center/

Quote
45th Space Wing commander Brig. Gen. Schiess said the launch will be carried out with a lean crew and social distancing measures.

Offline woods170

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : April 16, 2020
« Reply #12 on: 04/10/2020 06:15 am »
https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1247896041568866305

(Note:  It's 16 April at 17:31 EDT (21:31 UTC).)


Chris G edit:
https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1247898265216888834

USAF explained why Starlink launch continues while the GPS launch is postponed:

https://spacenews.com/starlink-mission-scheduled-for-next-week-at-kennedy-space-center/

Quote from: Sandra Erwin
During a call with reporters April 9, Schiess (Brig. Gen. Doug Schiess, commander of the 45th Space Wing that oversees the Florida space coast ranges) had to defend the decision to allow the launch to go forward amid the coronavirus pandemic.
<snip>
Schiess said that under the current health emergency, the decision to support a launch is considered on a case-by-case basis. The Starlink launch is less labor intensive than a national security mission like GPS, he said. With a leaner crew it’s easier to implement physical separation at launch facilities, said Schiess.

Another consideration is that the 60-satellite Starlink payload is owned by SpaceX so government personnel are not involved in getting it ready for launch.

Offline Lars-J

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SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : April 16, 2020
« Reply #13 on: 04/10/2020 07:05 am »
It’s also possible that SpaceX is also wanting to fly this mission soon because NASA would like to see as many F9 flights as possible to verify any fixes(?) or process changes since the M1D shutdown on the last flight - so flying this mission also makes Helps the crew in flight schedule.
« Last Edit: 04/10/2020 07:06 am by Lars-J »

Offline edkyle99

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : April 16, 2020
« Reply #14 on: 04/11/2020 03:56 pm »
According to Next Spaceflight, booster 1051.4 is going to be used for this mission.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2571
I wonder if that booster was originally meant to be used for SAOCOM.
I doubt it.  SAOCOM was going to fly from SLC 40.  SpaceX would likely have moved the boosters (and their upper stages) to their respective pad hangars a while back.  Swapping would have necessitated extra work to move the boosters between launch sites. 

There's also the question about which upper stage was swapped for the CRS-20 launch.

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 04/11/2020 03:57 pm by edkyle99 »

Offline wannamoonbase

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : April 16, 2020
« Reply #15 on: 04/11/2020 04:03 pm »
It’s also possible that SpaceX is also wanting to fly this mission soon because NASA would like to see as many F9 flights as possible to verify any fixes(?) or process changes since the M1D shutdown on the last flight - so flying this mission also makes Helps the crew in flight schedule.

I was wondering that too.  Are they going to want to see 39A and other F9 flights before DM2.

I'm just happy to have a launch to look forward too next week. 
Wildly optimistic prediction, Superheavy recovery on IFT-4 or IFT-5

Offline Ken the Bin

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : April 16, 2020
« Reply #16 on: 04/13/2020 03:29 pm »
I received a NOTMAR cancellation from the NGA for SpaceX's Starlink launch scheduled for Thursday, April 16, so apparently it is being postponed.

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : April 16, 2020
« Reply #17 on: 04/13/2020 03:59 pm »
https://twitter.com/raul74cz/status/1249715981842333696

Quote
Complete map of LHAs for #Starlink v1.0-L6 from LC-39A for Apr 16-21. Direct inject orbit, booster landing and expected fairing recovery location as last Starlink mission. Stage2 deorbit on the first orbit to same Debris Reentry Area in Eastern Pacific. bit.do/LHA11

Offline Raul

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : April 16, 2020
« Reply #18 on: 04/14/2020 07:43 pm »
UPDATE of primary launch day is Apr 23 19:16 UTC, backup launch day Apr 24.

Quote
ATLANTIC OCEAN - FLORIDA - CAPE CANAVERAL: EATERN RANGE OP# X1303 FALCON 9 STARLINK V1.0-L6 (UPDATE April 14, 2020)
Eastern Range will be conducting hazardous operations surface to unlimited within portions of Warning Areas W497A, W497B, W137F/G, W138E,
W139E/F, W122 and the following Hazard Areas.
A: From 2838 59.35N 8037 40.62W
TO 2841N 8036W
TO 2902N 8009W
TO 2857N 8005W
TO 2842N 8018W
TO 2833N 8033W
TO 2833 14.53N 8033 57.98W to beginning
B: From 3201N 7645W
TO 3309N 7558W
TO 3331N 7526W
TO 3328N 7449W
TO 3315N 7435W
TO 3246N 7435WTO 3229N 7459W
TO 3150N 7635W to beginning
Hazard periods for primary launch day and backup launch days;
Primary launch day: 23 / 1856Z thru 23 / 2024Z Apr 20. Preferred T-0 is 1916Z.
Backup launch day: 24 / 1834Z thru 24 / 2002Z Apr 20. Preferred T-0 is 1854Z

Offline ZachS09

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7 (v1.0 L6) : NET April 23, 2020
« Reply #19 on: 04/14/2020 09:08 pm »
Why are they still doing direct insertions if the previous missions resulted in booster landing failures?
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

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