SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 9-1 : VSFB SLC-4E : 18/19 June 2024 (03:40 UTC)

[raptorx2]

Group 7 launched to 53 degree inclination from Vandenberg = 22 V2.0Mini's
Group 9 launched to 53 degree inclination from Vandenberg = 20 Starlinks.

The reduction by two satellites is due to the 13 direct-to-cell Starlinks (unofficial name v2d) being carried, which are a little heavier than the standard mini's (unofficial name v2m). 24 v2m's were launched with 17,500 kg payload [1]. That gives a v2m mass of 729 kg. Solving 22*v2m = 7*v2m+13*v2d, gives a v2d mass of (22-7)*v2m/13 = 841 kg.

[1] https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1762019803630563800

Here's the pdf of the online press kit.

As shown above, SpaceX X feed declined to outline that 13 payloads were DTC.  Sorry for the confusion.

Perhaps Group 9 signifies VLEO as intended destination?

[zubenelgenubi]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1802966982188470453

CelesTrak has pre-launch SupGP data for the @Starlink Group 9-1 launch from Vandenberg SFB on 2024-06-19 at 03:00:00 UTC: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g9-1. Deployment of 20 satellites at 04:00:16.080 UTC.

[Ron Lee]

It is interesting that Dr Kelso was only given data for one launch time yet one source listed the launch window as four hours long and another post shows a possible four hour and 31 minutes launch window.

The four hour launch window is from the SpaceX website:  "Liftoff is targeted for 8:00 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 12:00 a.m. PT on Wednesday, June 19."

[Ken the Bin]

It is interesting that Dr Kelso was only given data for one launch time yet one source listed the launch window as four hours long and another post shows a possible four hour and 31 minutes launch window.

The four hour launch window is from the SpaceX website:  "Liftoff is targeted for 8:00 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 12:00 a.m. PT on Wednesday, June 19."

A key point to note is that the information came "from Vandenberg SFB", not "from SpaceX".

[zubenelgenubi]

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-9-1

SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, June 18 for a Falcon 9 launch of 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Station in California. Liftoff is targeted for 8:40 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 11:36 p.m PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Thursday, June 19 starting at 8:20 p.m. ET.

= 19 June 03:40 to 06:36 UTC

Single launch time from TS Kelso:
https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1803251786368819489

UPDATE #1: @SpaceX is now targeting launch for the @Starlink Group 9-1 launch on 2024-06-19 at 03:40:00 UTC with deployment at 04:40:16.080 UTC: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/.

[Ron Lee]

The current 8:40 PM PDT launch time opens up the possibility of jellyfish effects for southern coast California and even better (darker skies) viewing east to western Texas, much of New Mexico, southwestern Utah, southern Nevada.  See page 1, post 13 for more details.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=60995.msg2601573#msg2601573

[catdlr]

Here is a consolidated post of available video links for this launch:

SpaceX direct live broadcast on Twitter:  https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1OwxWYYrYNWGQ

Space Affairs YouTube (SpaceX Re-broadcast):  https://youtube.com/watch?v=cUtwTIckmtE

Replay supplied by The Space Devs (15 min after the broadcast end):  https://youtube.com/@thespacedevs/videos

Summary Video provided by SciNews (15 min after the broadcast ends):  https://youtube.com/@SciNewsRo/videos

Launch Ground Video (from local resident in Santa Barbara - I'll post if available)

[Ron Lee]

I have positive jellyfish sightings from Las Cruces, NM and Phoenix and Kingman, AZ.

Artesia, NM

Yuma, AZ

[Brovane]

View from East San Diego County.

If you zoom in you can see the fairings and the 1st stage. 

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1803271868109169037





Short Form video:

[catdlr]

Long form, full replay on HD

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/ABC7/status/1803275680148496671

[shooter6947]

Spectacular view from way far away in the dark skies near Pie Town, New Mexico. 

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/SpringTesla/status/1803277520722100412

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1803287542621769835

Deployment 20 @Starlink satellites confirmed

[catdlr]

FRom my friend in Santa Barbara, our land base video:

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1803287770192105834

SpaceX
@SpaceX
On orbit, the 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities will connect over laser backhaul to the existing constellation, using an advanced modem on board that acts as a cellphone tower in space
9:44 PM · Jun 18, 2024

·

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1803297807446552618

Falcon 9 delivers 20 @Starlink  satellites to orbit from California

[shiro]

Some reusability stats for this launch (Starlink Group 9-1):

Booster B1082.5 turnaround time:
39 days 23 hours 10 minutes
(its previous mission was Starlink Group 8-2 on May 10, 2024 UTC).

FYI: median turnaround time for Falcon 9 / Heavy boosters is currently 34.78 days *
* – based on the last 30 launches, excluding new first stages.

Launchpad SLC-4E turnaround time:
10 days 14 hours 42 minutes
(the previous launch from this pad was Starlink Group 8-8 on Jun 8, 2024 UTC).

FYI: median turnaround time for SLC-4E is currently 9.63 days *
* – based on the last 30 launches.

The same type of stats for previous SpaceX launches may be found on this spreadsheet online.

[rsmath]

Spectacular view from way far away in the dark skies near Pie Town, New Mexico. 

Too cloudy in Albuquerque to see it tonight.   Your video is great info that it can be darker skies and not just dusk skies to see it as long as the launcher is sun-illuminated.   The upper stage engine does not provide enough illumination to be seen if it is totally dark for both observation site and launcher.