SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 4-37 : KSC LC-39A : 17 December 2022 (21:32 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Thread for the Starlink 4-37 group launch.

NSF Threads for Starlink 4-37: Discussion

Launch December 17, 2022, 21:32 UTC (4:32 pm EST), from KSC LC-39A, on booster 1058-15.  The first stage is expected to land aboard Just Read The Instructions.

Payload 54 Starlink satellites to 53.2 degree inclination on a northeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit of approximately 230 x 335 km?

Starlink v1.5 satellite mass is now about 300kg after the addition of laser ISL terminals.

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

[zubenelgenubi]

Launch NET October 12; northeastern trajectory.

1548-EX-ST-2022
Mission 1832 Starlink Group 4-37 from Cape Canaveral FL at LC-40 CCAFS or LC-39a at KSC
ASDS North  32  41  56   West  75  44  0
NET mid-October

SFN Launch Schedule, updated September 13:
October launch, SLC-40.


Canaveral SLC-40:
October 5/6            Galaxy 33 and 34
October 14             Eutelsat Hotbird 13F
~NET October 20  Starlink 4-37

Edited for clarity

[crandles57]

Canaveral SLC-40:
October 5/6    Galaxy 33 and 34
October 14     Eutelsat Hotbird 13F
~October 20  Starlink 4-37

That would imply USSF 44 not until ~Oct 27th at earliest as both ASDS needed. That is quite possible I suppose, but if USSF 44 is earlier it would have to be before 4-37 which would push 4-37 later. If USSF 44 much later than Oct 27th then it might make sense to fit in a launch from 39A, maybe 4-37 or Eutelsat Hotbird 13F?

[zubenelgenubi]

Canaveral SLC-40:
October 5/6    Galaxy 33 and 34
October 14     Eutelsat Hotbird 13F
~October 20  Starlink 4-37

That would imply USSF 44 not until ~Oct 27th at earliest as both ASDS needed. That is quite possible I suppose, but if USSF 44 is earlier it would have to be before 4-37 which would push 4-37 later. If USSF 44 much later than Oct 27th then it might make sense to fit in a launch from 39A, maybe 4-37 or Eutelsat Hotbird 13F?

I edited my original post to clarify my thoughts.

Yes, availability of both ASDS for USSF-44 will constrain launches.

And (a guess), if the USSF-44 launch is delayed, then we will likely see Starlink Group 4 launch or launches scheduled at LC-39A so launch cadence may be sustained.

The foreign-manufactured satellites seem to launch from SLC-40.  There's a reason for that, but I don't remember it?

[crandles57]

I think I recall that at one time it was more difficult for foreign people or people employed by foreign companies to gain access to one or other of the launch sites. That might be necessary for integration work. Not sure if this is still the reason.

[zubenelgenubi]

I think I recall that at one time it was more difficult for foreign people or people employed by foreign companies to gain access to one or other of the launch sites. That might be necessary for integration work. Not sure if this is still the reason.

Yes, the greater difficulty was access to Kennedy LC-39A.  Counter-intuitive.

[realnouns]

Canaveral SLC-40:
October 5/6    Galaxy 33 and 34
October 14     Eutelsat Hotbird 13F
~October 20  Starlink 4-37

That would imply USSF 44 not until ~Oct 27th at earliest as both ASDS needed. That is quite possible I suppose, but if USSF 44 is earlier it would have to be before 4-37 which would push 4-37 later. If USSF 44 much later than Oct 27th then it might make sense to fit in a launch from 39A, maybe 4-37 or Eutelsat Hotbird 13F?

Typically FCC certifications can be expected to be posted 4-8 weeks prior to the Operation Start Date.  In the later half of that range for a non-standard mission like a Falcon Heavy.  Having not seen one yet for USSF-44, the chances of an October launch are looking unlikely

[zubenelgenubi]

Canaveral SLC-40:
October 5/6    Galaxy 33 and 34
October 14     Eutelsat Hotbird 13F
~October 20  Starlink 4-37

That would imply USSF 44 not until ~Oct 27th at earliest as both ASDS needed. That is quite possible I suppose, but if USSF 44 is earlier it would have to be before 4-37 which would push 4-37 later. If USSF 44 much later than Oct 27th then it might make sense to fit in a launch from 39A, maybe 4-37 or Eutelsat Hotbird 13F?

Typically FCC certifications can be expected to be posted 4-8 weeks prior to the Operation Start Date.  In the later half of that range for a non-standard mission like a Falcon Heavy.  Having not seen one yet for USSF-44, the chances of an October launch are looking unlikely

USSF-44:

¡Cross-Post!

It's about time.  Presumably USSF-44...
1593-EX-ST-2022
Falcon Heavy
Looks like [side] boosters RTLS, center core expended
NET October [21]

<snip>
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/1151
FH side boosters landing at LZ-1 and LZ-2.

[zubenelgenubi]

Canaveral SLC-40:
October 6/7           Galaxy 33 and 34
October 13             Eutelsat Hotbird 13F
NET October 20    Starlink 4-36
end of October?    Starlink 4-37?
November 5           Galaxy 31 and 32
November 11         Eutelsat 10B?

Might Starlink 4-37 be delayed into the last half of November, or even later?

[crandles57]

Canaveral SLC-40:
October 1314             Eutelsat Hotbird 13F
NET October 20    Starlink 4-36
end of October?    Starlink 4-37?
November 5           Galaxy 31 and 32
November 12         Eutelsat 10B?

Might Starlink 4-37 be delayed into the last half of November, or even later?

https://www.launchphotography.com/Launch_Viewing_Guide.html [10 Oct but also 8 Oct version]
says

A Falcon 9 will launch more Starlink satellites from pad 40 on October TBD.

Perhaps that 'A' does suggest just one launch presumably 4-36 and not 4-37 in the timeframe to Nov 5. I could be reading too much into that wording - there is just about enough time for 4-37 in the period from Oct 26 to Oct 29 but that doesn't leave much room for delays.

[OceanCat]

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7015

Starlink Group 4-37
Launch Time
NET Oct 27, 2022

[zubenelgenubi]

NextSpaceFlight, updated October 16:
Launch NET October 26
(NET moved forward one day)

[crandles57]

NextSpaceFlight, updated October 16:
Launch NET October 26
(NET moved forward one day)

Now saying November.

10 boosters launched in a month would have been amazing.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post; likely NET end of November after HAKUTO-R Eutelsat 10B launch?

SFN Launch Schedule, updated October 26

Late November • Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-37
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
<snip>

Edited

[zubenelgenubi]

NextSpaceFlight, updated November 2:
First stage is 1058.15.


Might this launch move to LC-39A? (Edit: No, but the 1st OneWeb Falcon 9 launch will be from LC-39A.)

I note LC-39A may be available after SpX-26, currently scheduled for launch on November 18, and January 2023.

Unless there is Starship construction work?

Edit to add:
Nov 1                         FH  USSF-44
Nov 18                       F9  SpX-26
<nothing scheduled; Starlink(s)?>
NET Dec 27 Jan 4  FH  ViaSat-3 Americas
Jan 10                        F9  SpX-27
Jan (or Dec 2022)   FH  USSF-67
Feb                              F9  Crew-6

Further edits

[ZachS09]

B1058 will be the first booster to fly for a 15th time. Although I’m not sure if it’ll be temporarily taken out of service for a bit after landing, or if it’ll immediately begin preps for a 16th go.

[AmigaClone]

B1058 will be the first booster to fly for a 15th time. Although I’m not sure if it’ll be temporarily taken out of service for a bit after landing, or if it’ll immediately begin preps for a 16th go.

It likely will undergo a more intense examination than usual, before starting to be refurbished. That would likely mean it would be out of the rotation for a while.

[ZachS09]

B1058 will be the first booster to fly for a 15th time. Although I’m not sure if it’ll be temporarily taken out of service for a bit after landing, or if it’ll immediately begin preps for a 16th go.

It likely will undergo a more intense examination than usual, before starting to be refurbished. That would likely mean it would be out of the rotation for a while.

The intense examination is my first instinct. But I still have this funny feeling that SpaceX will just refurbish it without hesitation.

[AmigaClone]

B1058 will be the first booster to fly for a 15th time. Although I’m not sure if it’ll be temporarily taken out of service for a bit after landing, or if it’ll immediately begin preps for a 16th go.

It likely will undergo a more intense examination than usual, before starting to be refurbished. That would likely mean it would be out of the rotation for a while.

The intense examination is my first instinct. But I still have this funny feeling that SpaceX will just refurbish it without hesitation.

That might depend on what they find during the inspection.

[zubenelgenubi: Edit]

[AC in NC]

The intense examination is my first instinct. But I still have this funny feeling that SpaceX will just refurbish it without hesitation.

My instinct from some tweet I recall to the effect of -- "No obvious limit on reuse" ... is that they'll just keep processing and look for signs in the ordinary course of refurb.