Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 3-4 : Vandenberg : 31 August 2022 (05:40 UTC) (Read 29175 times)

zubenelgenubi · « **on:** 07/15/2022 01:17 am »

Thread for the Starlink 3-4 group launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

NSF Threads for Starlink 3-4: Discussion

Launch August 31, 2022, at 05:40 UTC (August 30 10:40 pm PDT), from SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB, California. First stage is 1063-7. It landed successfully aboard Of Course I Still Love You.

Payload 46 Starlink satellites to 97.6° degree inclination on a south-southwestern trajectory. Initial orbit circa 307 x 321 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.

From an early Starlink 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 to near global coverage of the populated world by 2021. Additional information on the system can be found at starlink.com.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #1 on:** 07/15/2022 01:20 am »

Cross-post; operation start NET August 17:

Quote from: gongora on 07/14/2022 10:43 pm

1226-EX-ST-2022

SpaceX Mission 1844 Starlink Group 3-4 from SLC-4E
ASDS North 28 58 4 West 121 47 59

Probable number of satellites for Starlink 3-4, or a baseline number that could be improved upon in subsequent launches:

Quote from: Conexion Espacial on 07/07/2022 09:29 pm

46 satellites for Starlink 3-1.
Quote from: TS Kelso tweet
CelesTrak has pre-launch SupGP data for the #Starlink Group 3-1 launch set for 2022-07-11 at 01:39:40 UTC from Vandenberg SFB. Deployment of 46 satellites is set for 02:42:43.760 UTC: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/. [July 7]

crandles57 · « **Reply #2 on:** 07/15/2022 01:26 pm »

3-2 21 July

3-3 then 3-4 17 Aug

So they are planning on launching more than twice a month - about 14 days between launches for Vandenberg
Guess we should take 26 launches per year from VSFB with at least a pinch of salt.

Clavin · « **Reply #3 on:** 07/15/2022 02:24 pm »

Quote from: crandles57 on 07/15/2022 01:26 pm

3-2 21 July

3-3 then 3-4 17 Aug

So they are planning on launching more than twice a month - about 14 days between launches for Vandenberg
Guess we should take 26 launches per year from VSFB with at least a pinch of salt.

Shell 3 (348 sat) and Shell 5 (172 sat)have a total of 520 satellites which will be launched from VAB. so somewhere around 12 Starlink launches in total in the near future.
With planned turnaround time of 11 days (Starlink 3-2) for pad and Droneship, somewhere around 25 launches seems to be the current theoretical limit. But IMO it will be limited by pad usage as customers that require polar launches are less and even starlink launches seemed to be capped (Unless more shells are planned please share if any info is available of this).

Alexphysics · « **Reply #4 on:** 07/15/2022 09:08 pm »

Remember they can also launch shell 4 Starlinks from Vandenberg as well so that's another potential 10 to 20 more launches to add depending on how they distribute them between east and west coast.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #5 on:** 07/22/2022 02:16 am »

Cross-post:

Quote from: scr00chy on 07/21/2022 08:47 pm

Quote
#SpaceX host @kate_tice said during today's #Starlink 3-2 webcast that the next Starlink polar mission was scheduled to launch from Vandenberg "in about two weeks".

That means Starlink 3-3 is planned for early August.

She also implied that Starlink 3-4 is scheduled for August.

https://twitter.com/ElonXnet/status/1550220413908783104

July 21 + 4 weeks = mid August. Matches NET August 17 well.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #6 on:** 08/03/2022 06:46 pm »

Starlink 3-4 now has a NextSpaceFlight page, as of the August 3 updates.
The first stage is 1063.7.

There should be no need for a Static Fire.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #7 on:** 08/10/2022 09:04 am »

At the end of the SFN webcast of the Starlink 4-26 launch, Stephen Clark mentioned the upcoming Falcon 9 Starlink launches. He said SpaceX may launch a second Starlink mission from Vandenberg before the end of August, after the launch of Starlink 3-3 on the 12th. He did not have a date for Starlink 3-4, and therfore he did not include it on the table seen in the webcast screencap.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #8 on:** 08/12/2022 01:24 am »

Cross-post:

Quote from: Alexphysics on 08/10/2022 10:10 pm

If this is of any use... order of launches for August and first half of September was supposed to be

KPLO (already launched)
Starlink 4-26 (already launched)
Starlink 3-3 (currently scheduled for August 12th)
Starlink 4-27 (currently scheduled for August 16th)
Starlink 3-4
Starlink 4-23 (currently scheduled for August 24th)
Starlink 4-20
Starlink 4-2

I was and I'm still expecting 3-4 and 4-20 to be on for this month. Likely to have 3-4 around the 20th +- a couple of days and 4-20 could likely be anywhere from August 25th to 31st given pad turnaround times. But those are just guesses based on the expectation of those two happening this month. There's definitely room in the schedule for them.

AmigaClone · « **Reply #9 on:** 08/15/2022 02:54 pm »

Quote from: Alexphysics on 07/15/2022 09:08 pm

Remember they can also launch shell 4 Starlinks from Vandenberg as well so that's another potential 10 to 20 more launches to add depending on how they distribute them between east and west coast.

I suspect Florida would be used for most launches to finish shell 4 and to top off shell 1. That would account for about 20 launches.

Vandenberg has the advantage for launches for shells 2, 3 and 5. There might be some mission that would include Starlink satellites destined for both shell 3 and shell 5 since both shells are at the same inclination/ elevation. There would be about 25 Starlink launches for those three shells.

Barley · « **Reply #10 on:** 08/15/2022 03:08 pm »

Quote from: AmigaClone on 08/15/2022 02:54 pm

I suspect Florida would be used for most launches to finish shell 4 and to top off shell 1. That would account for about 20 launches.

Vandenberg has the advantage for launches for shells 2, 3 and 5. There might be some mission that would include Starlink satellites destined for both shell 3 and shell 5 since both shells are at the same inclination/ elevation. There would be about 25 Starlink launches for those three shells.

They can do the same with shells 1 and 4. The ΔV for a 0.2° inclination change is not large. The difference between the ΔVs from the insertion orbit to each of the two operational orbits is tiny.

kevin-rf · « **Reply #11 on:** 08/15/2022 03:42 pm »

The question would be, when they complete shell 3 (and maybe 5) what do they think is more important shells 1 & 4 or starting shell 2.

Personal wag, they will complete shells 3 & 5 at roughly the same time shell 4 is completed. So use 14 or so launches from all three pads to build shell 2.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #12 on:** 08/15/2022 10:41 pm »

SFN Launch Schedule update, August 14:
Starlink 3-4 launch late August.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #13 on:** 08/19/2022 05:44 pm »

My bold; NSF SpaceX to launch third Starlink mission in less than two weeks, August 19, author is our contributor @alexphysics13:

Quote

Two more launches are on tap for the rest of August: one Starlink mission from Vandenberg and another Starlink launch from LC-39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

In what may be the longest streak of consecutive Starlink missions, SpaceX has at least four more Starlink missions on the schedule for September, two of them with rideshares, alternating between their SLC-40 and LC-39A launch sites.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #14 on:** 08/19/2022 09:50 pm »

No launch date yet; still "before end of August":
SFN SpaceX’s Starlink fleet gets 53 new satellites with launch from Florida, August 19:

Quote

A launch date for the Vandenberg mission has not been confirmed.

scr00chy · « **Reply #15 on:** 08/19/2022 10:22 pm »

Next Spaceflight shows the launch on August 27 at 05:30 UTC.

Ken the Bin · « **Reply #16 on:** 08/22/2022 01:20 am »

This NGA Space Debris notice looks like it could be for the S2 reentry for this launch.

Quote from: NGA

212350Z AUG 22
HYDROPAC 2298/22(83).
SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 06.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   0719Z TO 0757Z DAILY 27 AUG THRU 02 SEP 
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   25-56.00S 154-18.00W, 25-28.00S 156-42.00W,
   59-30.00S 169-29.00W, 59-57.00S 165-13.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 020857Z SEP 22.

Ken the Bin · « **Reply #17 on:** 08/22/2022 03:33 am »

This NGA generic Hazardous Operations notice appears to be the launch.

Quote from: NGA

172207Z AUG 22
NAVAREA XII 591/22(18).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
CALIFORNIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 270500Z TO 270630Z AUG,
   ALTERNATE 0500Z TO 0630Z DAILY 28 THRU 31 AUG
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 34-40.00N 120-41.00W, 34-39.00N 120-29.00W,
      33-29.00N 120-39.00W, 31-43.00N 121-10.00W,
      31-44.00N 121-20.00W, 32-47.00N 121-13.00W.
   B. 29-43.00N 122-04.00W, 29-47.00N 121-09.00W,
      28-24.00N 121-28.00W, 28-28.00N 122-16.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 310730Z AUG 22.

OneSpeed · « **Reply #18 on:** 08/22/2022 06:04 am »

Quote from: Ken the Bin on 08/22/2022 01:20 am

This NGA Space Debris notice looks like it could be for the S2 reentry for this launch.

Quote from: Ken the Bin on 08/22/2022 03:33 am

This NGA generic Hazardous Operations notice appears to be the launch.

Maps from the NGA notices. The ASDS will be positioned about 642km downrange.

Rondaz · « **Reply #19 on:** 08/22/2022 05:30 pm »

LHA map for #Starlink Group 3-4 from VSFB SLC-4E NET 27 Aug 05:30 UTC, altern. 28-31 Aug based on issued NOTMAR/NOTAMs. B1063.7 planned landing with roughly estimated fairing recovery approx. 640km downrange. Stage2 debris reentry in southern Pacific.

https://twitter.com/Raul74Cz/status/1561740926007087104

crandles57 · « **Reply #20 on:** 08/23/2022 03:06 pm »

Quote from: scr00chy on 08/19/2022 10:22 pm

Next Spaceflight shows the launch on August 27 at 05:30 UTC.

Now[23 Aug] it just says "NET August 2022"

Ken the Bin · « **Reply #21 on:** 08/23/2022 05:48 pm »

The NGA Rocket Launching notice has been canceled. (The Space Debris notice has not yet been canceled.)

Quote from: NGA

231634Z AUG 22
NAVAREA XII 597/22(18).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
CALIFORNIA.
CANCEL NAVAREA XII 591/22 AND THIS MSG,
OPERATIONS POSTPONED.

Ken the Bin · « **Reply #22 on:** 08/23/2022 08:52 pm »

The NGA Space Debris notice was not canceled TBD like the Rocket Launching notice. Instead, there is a cancel-and-replace notice. On that basis, the launch would be on August 31 at 05:30 UTC.

Quote from: NGA

231933Z AUG 22
HYDROPAC 2320/22(83).
SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 06.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   0719Z TO 0757Z DAILY 31 AUG THRU 04 SEP 
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   25-56.00S 154-18.00W, 25-28.00S 156-42.00W,
   59-30.00S 169-29.00W, 59-57.00S 165-13.00W.
2. CANCEL HYDROPAC 2298/22.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 040857Z SEP 22.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #23 on:** 08/25/2022 07:47 pm »

NextSpaceFlight has since confirmed launch date and time.

Ken the Bin · « **Reply #24 on:** 08/26/2022 01:49 pm »

The new NGA notice for the launch (as a generic Hazardous Operations notice) finally arrived. If you look at the first line, it was issued August 23 at 16:19 UTC. But it wasn't emailed until today at 09:30 UTC.

Quote from: NGA

231619Z AUG 22
NAVAREA XII 607/22(18).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
CALIFORNIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 310500Z TO 310630Z AUG,
   ALTERNATE 0500Z TO 0630Z DAILY 01 THRU 04 SEP
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 34-40.00N 120-41.00W, 34-39.00N 120-29.00W,
      33-29.00N 120-39.00W, 31-43.00N 121-10.00W,
      31-44.00N 121-20.00W, 32-47.00N 121-13.00W.
   B. 29-43.00N 122-04.00W, 29-47.00N 121-09.00W,
      28-24.00N 121-28.00W, 28-28.00N 122-16.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 040730Z SEP 22.//

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #25 on:** 08/26/2022 03:26 pm »

NextSpaceFlight, updated August 26, clarifies launch time: August 31 05:40 UTC = August 30 10:40 pm PDT.

Rondaz · « **Reply #26 on:** 08/28/2022 02:17 am »

Departure! Of Course I Still Love You droneship is outbound from the Port of Long Beach for Starlink 3-4..

https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1563550053549375493

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #27 on:** 08/29/2022 11:18 pm »

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #28 on:** 08/29/2022 11:19 pm »

https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl3-4/

Quote

SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, August 30 for a Falcon 9 launch of 46 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The instantaneous launch window is at 10:40 p.m. PT (5:40 UTC on Wednesday, August 31), and a backup opportunity is available on Wednesday, August 31 at 10:40 p.m. PT (05:40 UTC on Thursday, September 1).

The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will return to Earth and land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #29 on:** 08/30/2022 01:47 am »

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1564427152769966080

Quote

Targeting Tuesday, August 30 for a Falcon 9 launch of 46 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from SLC-4E in California → spacex.com/launches/sl3-4/

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #30 on:** 08/30/2022 02:02 am »

https://twitter.com/hkpmsn/status/1564431244640673796

Quote

Starlink 3-4 is now tracking for 10:40pm PDT Tues Aug 30th from SLC-4E. Very light 8% cloud coverage of area with 9 Mi visibility forecast. 55° winds <10kt. This should be a beautiful launch visible for miles. Best experience for first time watchers is the West end of Ocean Ave

Rondaz · « **Reply #31 on:** 08/30/2022 11:27 am »

Upcoming 25th #Starlink launch of this year via #SpaceX's #Falcon9 vehicle..

Booster supporting this mission..

https://twitter.com/_rykllan/status/1564528686593970176

Rondaz · « **Reply #32 on:** 08/30/2022 11:31 am »

Orbital Launch no. 110 of 2022

#SpaceX will be launching another batch of 46 #Starlink V1.5 G3-04(L58) satellites onboard the #Falcon9 FT "B1063-07" launch vehicle at the Launch Complex-4 East, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

https://twitter.com/nkknspace/status/1564478810870857728

Rondaz · « **Reply #33 on:** 08/30/2022 05:26 pm »

CelesTrak has pre-launch SupGP data for the #Starlink Group 3-4 launch from Vandenberg SFB scheduled for 2022-08-31 at 05:40:10 UTC. Deployment of 46 satellites is set for 63 minutes after launch at 06:43:10.840 UTC:

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1564664649664016384

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #34 on:** 08/30/2022 07:02 pm »

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #35 on:** 08/30/2022 07:16 pm »

https://twitter.com/tgmetsfan98/status/1564692331030364160

Quote

Less than 7 years ago, SpaceX successfully landed Falcon 9 for the first time.

Tonight, the 150th Falcon recovery attempt will be made, when B1063 descends toward Of Course I Still Love You during the Starlink 3-4 mission.

By Trevor Sesnic (@124970MeV):

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/08/starlink-3-4-launch/

soltasto · « **Reply #36 on:** 08/30/2022 09:43 pm »

"Press kit" capture with OCR

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #37 on:** 08/31/2022 05:04 am »

NSF stream has started.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #38 on:** 08/31/2022 05:06 am »

T-35 minutes. First stage propellant loading and second stage RP-1 loading should be starting about now.

"Launch autosequence has started" heard on audio.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #39 on:** 08/31/2022 05:08 am »

SpaceX mission control audio.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #40 on:** 08/31/2022 05:21 am »

"Stage 1 pogo". Not sure what that means.

"Stage 2 RP-1 load complete"

T-20 minute vent.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #41 on:** 08/31/2022 05:24 am »

"Stage 2 LOX load has started."

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #42 on:** 08/31/2022 05:31 am »

T-10 minutes.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #43 on:** 08/31/2022 05:34 am »

T-7 minutes. "Engine chill has started."

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #44 on:** 08/31/2022 05:34 am »

T-6 minutes. Stage 1 RP-1 load is complete.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #45 on:** 08/31/2022 05:36 am »

T-5 minutes. SpaceX webcast has begun. Pressing for strongback retract.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #46 on:** 08/31/2022 05:37 am »

T-4 minutes. Strongback retracting.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #47 on:** 08/31/2022 05:38 am »

T-3 minutes. Stage 1 LOX load complete.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #48 on:** 08/31/2022 05:39 am »

T-2 minutes.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #49 on:** 08/31/2022 05:40 am »

Stage 2 LOX load complete.

T-1 minute. Falcon 9 is in startup.

LD is go for launch.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #50 on:** 08/31/2022 05:41 am »

Liftoff!

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #51 on:** 08/31/2022 05:41 am »

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1564850793160839168

Quote

LAUNCH! SpaceX Falcon 9 B1063-7 launches with the Starlink 3-4 mission from Vandenberg.

Overview: https://nasaspaceflight.com/2022/08/starlink-3-4-launch/… - by Trevor Sesnic (@124970MeV)

NSF Livestream:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=BRnKgbYsqug

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1564850695332720640

Quote

Liftoff!

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #52 on:** 08/31/2022 05:42 am »

T+1 minute.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #53 on:** 08/31/2022 05:43 am »

T+2 minutes.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #54 on:** 08/31/2022 05:44 am »

First stage separation.

Fairing separation (not shown).

T+3 minutes.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #55 on:** 08/31/2022 05:45 am »

twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1564851287820320769

Quote

Cool tracking from Pauline!

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1564851678607802368

Quote

Staging 1-2.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #56 on:** 08/31/2022 05:45 am »

T+4 minutes.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #57 on:** 08/31/2022 05:45 am »

SpaceX webcast: third flight for the fairing halves.

Video cuts in and out from the two stages. We had first stage video for the entry burn.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #58 on:** 08/31/2022 05:46 am »

T+5 minutes.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #59 on:** 08/31/2022 05:47 am »

T+6 minutes.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #60 on:** 08/31/2022 05:48 am »

Entry burn.

T+7 minutes.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #61 on:** 08/31/2022 05:49 am »

T+8 minutes. Landing burn.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #62 on:** 08/31/2022 05:50 am »

Touchdown and cutoff.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #63 on:** 08/31/2022 05:50 am »

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1564853453989593089?

Quote

SpaceX Falcon 9 B1063-7 lands on drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You".

youtube.com/watch?v=BRnKgb…

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #64 on:** 08/31/2022 05:50 am »

End of webcast.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #65 on:** 08/31/2022 06:11 am »

https://twitter.com/whoisheartbreak/status/1564854508420681728

Quote

Watched tonight’s California Falcon 9 launch from my balcony 🤯🤩 so incredible!! 🙌🏽🚀

dglow · « **Reply #66 on:** 08/31/2022 06:28 am »

Saw it going the other way, climbing above the horizon in San Francisco.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #67 on:** 08/31/2022 06:34 am »

T+53 minutes and 53 seconds. Two second orbit insertion burn should be happening about now.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #68 on:** 08/31/2022 06:35 am »

AOS Malindi.

Nominal deploy orbit confirmed.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #69 on:** 08/31/2022 06:43 am »

T+1 hour 2 minutes and 56 seconds. Separation should be happening about now.

Expected LOS Malindi.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #70 on:** 08/31/2022 06:51 am »

https://twitter.com/_tomcross_/status/1564866885987868672

Quote

SpaceX Starlink 3-4 launch from Vandenberg SFB, California.

Composite image of Falcon 9 launch streak + Milky Way. @SuperclusterHQ

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #71 on:** 08/31/2022 06:56 am »

Starlink separation confirmed.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #72 on:** 08/31/2022 06:56 am »

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1564869641410789378

Quote

Deployment of 46 Starlink satellites confirmed

Rondaz · « **Reply #73 on:** 08/31/2022 11:09 am »

Update / Update

After the releases of August, this is how the infographic of the boosters of @SpaceX.

https://twitter.com/SpaceNosey/status/1564856721184628738

Rondaz · « **Reply #74 on:** 08/31/2022 11:13 am »

A ⁦@SpaceX⁩ #Falcon9 blasts off from ⁦@SLDelta30⁩ on the STARLINK 3-4 mission. The booster was seen from Pasadena ⁦
@PasadenaGov⁩ on its trip into space (and back to land on earth, on the drone ship) This launch was viewable as far south as #SanDiego . 08-30-22

https://twitter.com/ShorealoneFilms/status/1564862135494070273

Rondaz · « **Reply #75 on:** 08/31/2022 11:16 am »

SpaceX confirms deployment of 46 new Starlink internet satellites, completing the 58th dedicated launch for the privately-funded broadband network.

SpaceX has now launched 3,208 Starlink satellites, including spacecraft already retired from service.

https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1564869671194705920

catdlr · « **Reply #76 on:** 08/31/2022 11:36 am »

OneSpeed · « **Reply #77 on:** 08/31/2022 11:56 am »

Here is a comparison of the webcast telemetry from the Starlink 3-3 and 3-4 missions.

The most recent Starlink 4-27 mission demonstrated increased second stage performance, but this mission demonstrates unprecedented first stage performance. Despite throttling back early for a wider throttle bucket, the 3-4 booster thereafter showed increased thrust up until terminal guidance, and MECO was at 2292m/s, some 30 m/s faster than for 3-3.

It will be interesting to see what Falcon 9 can do when both stages are pushed to their new maxima.

Herb Schaltegger · « **Reply #78 on:** 08/31/2022 12:00 pm »

Thanks for the overnight (US) coverage Steven, and the data analysis OneSpeed. You guys are what makes NSF the best.

Alexphysics · « **Reply #79 on:** 08/31/2022 05:30 pm »

Quote from: OneSpeed on 08/31/2022 11:56 am

Here is a comparison of the webcast telemetry from the Starlink 3-3 and 3-4 missions.

The most recent Starlink 4-27 mission demonstrated increased second stage performance, but this mission demonstrates unprecedented first stage performance. Despite throttling back early for a wider throttle bucket, the 3-4 booster thereafter showed increased thrust up until terminal guidance, and MECO was at 2292m/s, some 30 m/s faster than for 3-3.

It will be interesting to see what Falcon 9 can do when both stages are pushed to their new maxima.

If someone is tracking when things happen in the countdown, LOX load was finished later than usual on both stages for this mission. This is one of the things they're doing now to pack more propellant on the tanks

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #80 on:** 08/31/2022 06:25 pm »

Photos from SpaceX

Rondaz · « **Reply #81 on:** 08/31/2022 08:56 pm »

CelesTrak has ephemeris-based SupGP data for all 46 satellites from the launch (2022-105) of #Starlink Group 3-4 from Vandenberg SFB on Aug 31 at 0540 UTC. STARLINK-4570 is currently leading the pack, for pass visibility scheduling:

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1565038565674795009

gsa · « **Reply #82 on:** 08/31/2022 09:27 pm »

Quote from: Alexphysics on 08/31/2022 05:30 pm

Quote from: OneSpeed on 08/31/2022 11:56 am
[snip]
this mission demonstrates unprecedented first stage performance. Despite throttling back early for a wider throttle bucket, the 3-4 booster thereafter showed increased thrust up until terminal guidance, and MECO was at 2292m/s, some 30 m/s faster than for 3-3.

If someone is tracking when things happen in the countdown, LOX load was finished later than usual on both stages for this mission. This is one of the things they're doing now to pack more propellant on the tanks

If I'm not mistaken the "usual" times are T-3 minutes for the first stage and T-2 minutes for the second stage. For this mission the first stage report was at T-3 minutes ("usual"), but the second stage report was at ~T-1:30 ("later").
Is it possible that the first stage LOX was topping off for some time after T-3 minutes?

Comga · « **Reply #83 on:** 08/31/2022 09:47 pm »

Quote from: OneSpeed on 08/31/2022 11:56 am

Here is a comparison of the webcast telemetry from the Starlink 3-3 and 3-4 missions.

The most recent Starlink 4-27 mission demonstrated increased second stage performance, but this mission demonstrates unprecedented first stage performance. Despite throttling back early for a wider throttle bucket, the 3-4 booster thereafter showed increased thrust up until terminal guidance, and MECO was at 2292m/s, some 30 m/s faster than for 3-3.

It will be interesting to see what Falcon 9 can do when both stages are pushed to their new maxima.

Marvelous data.
So informative

Since when have they throttled the first stage for constant acceleration rather than turning off two of the nine engines? I don’t remember the switch.

The first stage finishes ~2 seconds earlier on 3-4 but the entire flight of the first stage takes ~6 seconds less. Yet the entry burn starts earlier which should lower the average velocity.
What gives?

Thanks again!

edkyle99 · « **Reply #84 on:** 08/31/2022 10:45 pm »

I think they only shut down the Merlin 1C engines in stages, on the v1.0 series Falcon 9. Merlin 1D could throttle enough to eliminate that set up, if I'm remembering correctly.

My question now is this. Is SpaceX getting this extra thrust by replacing all of the engines on the used boosters, or is it just pushing existing engines harder?

- Ed Kyle

OneSpeed · « **Reply #85 on:** 09/01/2022 05:46 am »

Quote from: Comga on 08/31/2022 09:47 pm

Since when have they throttled the first stage for constant acceleration rather than turning off two of the nine engines? I don’t remember the switch.

I'm pretty sure the only on purpose shutdowns of M1D prior to MECO were for Falcon Heavy side boosters. It will be interesting to see what they do for the next Heavy launch.

Quote from: Comga on 08/31/2022 09:47 pm

The first stage finishes ~2 seconds earlier on 3-4 but the entire flight of the first stage takes ~6 seconds less. Yet the entry burn starts earlier which should lower the average velocity.
What gives?

It might not be clear from the plot, but the apogee of 3-4s ballistic trajectory was 118km, 4km lower than for 3-3, and travelling some 52m/s faster. So, 3-4 with her flatter, faster trajectory took less time to get to her entry burn at an altitude of 60km, while 3-3 started 11 seconds later at 57km. The downrange distances I calculate are 649 and 651km respectively, so much the same distances travelled despite the different elapsed times.

Quote from: edkyle99 on 08/31/2022 10:45 pm

Is SpaceX getting this extra thrust by replacing all of the engines on the used boosters, or is it just pushing existing engines harder?

I'm not sure how many engines are being replaced, but from the plots, they are running all of them a few percent harder. Just not S1 and S2 at the same time, yet.

Quote from: Herb Schaltegger on 08/31/2022 12:00 pm

Thanks for the overnight (US) coverage Steven, and the data analysis OneSpeed. You guys are what makes NSF the best.

Thanks Herb, for the kind words. I just need to qualify that the mission coverage is very much the result of a team effort, by a lot of people who don't necessarily expect any recognition for their hard work, but all thoroughly deserve it.

crandles57 · « **Reply #86 on:** 09/01/2022 01:00 pm »

Quote from: OneSpeed on 09/01/2022 05:46 am

Quote from: edkyle99 on 08/31/2022 10:45 pm
Is SpaceX getting this extra thrust by replacing all of the engines on the used boosters, or is it just pushing existing engines harder?

I'm not sure how many engines are being replaced, but from the plots, they are running all of them a few percent harder. Just not S1 and S2 at the same time, yet.

Does later LOX load resulting in denser oxygen cause some or all of the power increase?

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #87 on:** 09/01/2022 08:45 pm »

https://twitter.com/_tomcross_/status/1565433156907388928

Quote

Streak close up of SpaceX’s 39th launch of 2022 showing stage sep and booster reentry burn.
@SuperclusterHQ

#spacex
#falcon9
#starlink

SPKirsch · « **Reply #88 on:** 09/02/2022 12:33 am »

https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1565484649098481673

Quote

Starlink 3-4: OCISLY is well underway towards Long Beach with B1063.

Vessel is self-reporting an ETA of 7am PT on Saturday.

NRC Quest is further ahead, arriving ~1am PT tonight , hopefully with two faring halves.

Rondaz · « **Reply #89 on:** 09/03/2022 01:21 pm »

OCISLY droneship is on track to arrive at the Port of Long Beach at approx. 6am PT this morning.

Delivering B1063 from Starlink 3-4.

https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1566019867240701955

Rondaz · « **Reply #90 on:** 09/03/2022 02:19 pm »

West Coast sunrise arrival booster 1063-8 after launching Starlink 3-4 from Vandenberg, CA.

https://twitter.com/_TomCross_/status/1566065568070832128