Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-3 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 19 May 2023 (06:19 UTC)  (Read 25345 times)

Online zubenelgenubi

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Thread for the Starlink 6-3 group launch.

NSF Threads for Starlink 6-3: Discussion

Launch May 19, 2023, at 06:19 UTC (2:19 am EDT), from Canaveral SLC-40, on booster 1076-5.  First stage landing aboard A Shortfall of Gravitas is expected.

Payload 22 Starlink V2 Mini satellites to 43 degree inclination on a southeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit 314 x 323 km.

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
« Last Edit: 05/19/2023 05:02 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-3 : Florida : NET March 2023
« Reply #1 on: 02/09/2023 08:35 pm »
Cross-post:
0291-EX-ST-2023  Mission 1889 Starlink Group 6-3 from Florida
NET March [March 6]
ASDS North  25  40  4   West  75  2  2

There are potentially several "outside" customer launches expected in March from both LC-39A and SLC-40, so NET March is truly No Earlier Than.
« Last Edit: 02/28/2023 07:47 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Online GewoonLukas_

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-3 : Florida : NET March 2023
« Reply #2 on: 03/14/2023 05:56 am »
NextSpaceflight (Updated March 14th)
Launch NET March 30th
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7114

Currently still listing SLC-40 or LC-39A, but LC-39A can be ruled out due to ViaSat-3 launching April 8th, so will be SLC-40.
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Offline AmigaClone

NextSpaceflight (Updated March 14th)
Launch NET March 30th
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7114

Currently still listing SLC-40 or LC-39A, but LC-39A can be ruled out due to ViaSat-3 launching April 8th, so will be SLC-40.

Personally, March 30th is the last date that I would not rule out the launch to be either from SLC40 or LC39A. As they perform more configuration switches for the Erector/Service Tower (between FH, F9 topped with a Dragon, and a F9 topped with fairings) the transition time likely will get faster.

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-3 : Florida : NET March 2023
« Reply #4 on: 03/14/2023 09:31 am »
NextSpaceflight (Updated March 14th)
Launch NET March 30th
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7114

Currently still listing SLC-40 or LC-39A, but LC-39A can be ruled out due to ViaSat-3 launching April 8th, so will be SLC-40.

Personally, March 30th is the last date that I would not rule out the launch to be either from SLC40 or LC39A. As they perform more configuration switches for the Erector/Service Tower (between FH, F9 topped with a Dragon, and a F9 topped with fairings) the transition time likely will get faster.

Turnaround for USSF-44 was 26 days, 21 hours, 41 minutes and the turnaround for USSF-67 was 29 days, 1 hour, 24 minutes. I don't think they'll be able to reduce that to just ~9 days. (Considering they'll also have to static fire which also adds a couple of days to the pre-launch preparations)
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Online zubenelgenubi

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-3 : Florida : NET April 2023
« Reply #5 on: 03/20/2023 10:40 pm »
NextSpaceflight, updated March 16th:
Launch NET April
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The Florida launch complexes are spoken for, for the remainder of April, and LC-39A is fully booked for the next few to several months--therefore NET May, CCSFS SLC-40.

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated April 20:
Quote
<snip>
Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40.
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Online zubenelgenubi

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Will this Group 6 Florida Starlink launch take precedence over the next Group 5 Florida Starlink launch?  Either/both would launch from SLC-40 in early May, then mid May.
« Last Edit: 04/25/2023 01:40 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline virtuallynathan

Will this Group 6 Florida Starlink launch take precedence over the next Group 5 Florida Starlink launch?  Either/both would launch from SLC-40 in early May, then mid May.

With Group 5-6 coming out of left field, I guess we have our answer!

Offline Alexphysics

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AFAIK 6-3 should be around mid May before Arabsat 7B

Online zubenelgenubi

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Which first stage will be used for this launch?

1060.16 is presumably still involved in its "deep-dive examination"?  This would likely also remove 1058.16 from consideration for the meantime.

1076.5 (April 7) and 1073.9 (April 19) are presumably now undergoing modifications to become the Falcon Heavy side boosters for Jupiter 3, and therefore not available.  [It wasn't yet true.]

Available first stages, with date of most recent recovery:
1062.14  Mar 9
1069.7    Mar 17 Starlink 5-6
1067.11  Mar 24 Starlink 5-9
1077.5    Mar 29

Edit May 15: It's B1076.5.
« Last Edit: 05/24/2023 03:42 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Online zubenelgenubi

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AFAIK 6-3 should be around mid May before Arabsat 7B.

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated April 26:
Quote
Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40.
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Launch NET mid May still viable:
Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated May 2:
Quote
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 4 around 3:29 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 9 around 1:08 a.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40. A Falcon 9 will launch the Arabsat Badr 8 communications satellite from pad 40 on May 21 at 11:20 p.m. EDT.
« Last Edit: 05/03/2023 03:32 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline crandles57

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If Ax-2 is on 21 May from 39A and Arabsat 7B is on 22 May from 40 both needing ASDS, I cannot see how Starlink 6-3 can be done between 5-9 on 12th and Arabsat 7B on 22nd. 10 days might be enough for pad preparation twice but not for three droneship landings.

So will they keep the order and delay Arabsat 7B or will they bump 6-3 to after Arabsat?

Edit Thanks Alex. BTW Nextspaceflight has ASDS on https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/?search=SpaceX but landing Zone 1 on the details page. Ditto for Crew-7.
« Last Edit: 05/05/2023 11:44 pm by crandles57 »

Offline Alexphysics

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If Ax-2 is on 21 May from 39A and Arabsat 7B is on 22 May from 40 both needing ASDS, I cannot see how Starlink 6-3 can be done between 5-9 on 12th and Arabsat 7B on 22nd. 10 days might be enough for pad preparation twice but not for three droneship landings.

So will they keep the order and delay Arabsat 7B or will they bump 6-3 to after Arabsat?

Axiom-2 won't need ASDS

If Ax-2 is on 21 May from 39A and Arabsat 7B is on 22 May from 40 both needing ASDS, I cannot see how Starlink 6-3 can be done between 5-9 on 12th and Arabsat 7B on 22nd. 10 days might be enough for pad preparation twice but not for three droneship landings.

So will they keep the order and delay Arabsat 7B or will they bump 6-3 to after Arabsat?

Axiom-2 won't need ASDS

I see thats also the case with Crew 7 too. I assume this might use that one engine entry burn + 1-3-1 landing burn profile performed on Transporter 7, and would also change the ascent trajectory a bit (I know the crewed ascent is quite different then a "regular" mission)

If Ax-2 is on 21 May from 39A and Arabsat 7B is on 22 May from 40 both needing ASDS, I cannot see how Starlink 6-3 can be done between 5-9 on 12th and Arabsat 7B on 22nd. 10 days might be enough for pad preparation twice but not for three droneship landings.

So will they keep the order and delay Arabsat 7B or will they bump 6-3 to after Arabsat?

Axiom-2 won't need ASDS

Why? I must have missed something. All Dragon 2 launches to date have required an ASDS landing. Are they just dumping the booster?

Offline Alexphysics

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If Ax-2 is on 21 May from 39A and Arabsat 7B is on 22 May from 40 both needing ASDS, I cannot see how Starlink 6-3 can be done between 5-9 on 12th and Arabsat 7B on 22nd. 10 days might be enough for pad preparation twice but not for three droneship landings.

So will they keep the order and delay Arabsat 7B or will they bump 6-3 to after Arabsat?

Axiom-2 won't need ASDS

Why? I must have missed something. All Dragon 2 launches to date have required an ASDS landing. Are they just dumping the booster?

Both Axiom-2 and Crew-7 will feature an RTLS landing for the booster, likely to be the new norm for crew missions.

Offline Zed_Noir

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<snip>
Both Axiom-2 and Crew-7 will feature an RTLS landing for the booster, likely to be the new norm for crew missions.

Only if the booster cores lands nominally for Axiom-2 & Crew-7. Otherwise it is back landing at sea on the ASDS barges  ;)

Offline Alexphysics

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Now appears on the FAA Current Operations Plan Advisory as the next launch from Florida after 5-9, as expected.
https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jsp

Quote
STARLINK 6-3, CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:   05/18/23   0426-0845Z
BACKUP(S):   05/19/23   0400-0820Z
              05/20/23   0335-0755Z
              05/21/23   0310-0729Z
              05/22/23   0245-0704Z
              05/23/23   0220-0639Z
              05/24/23   0154-0614Z
« Last Edit: 05/24/2023 03:43 am by zubenelgenubi »

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