SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 12-13 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 26/27 February 2025 03:34 UTC

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Thread for the Starlink Group 12-13 launch.

Launch 27 February 2025, at 03:34:20 UTC (26 February 10:34 pm EST), from CCSFS SLC-40, on booster 1092-1.  The first stage has successfully landed aboard Just Read The Instructions.

Payload 21 Starlink V2 Mini satellites, including 13 with Direct-to-Cell capabilities, to a 43 degree inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit 284 x 293 km.

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

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

[Galactic Penguin SST]

And another Starlink launch from the Cape has been posted:

F0682/25 NOTAMN
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/1648S08405E750
A) YMMM
B) 2502240639 C) 2503020901
D) 2502240639 TO 2502241146
   2502250611 TO 2502251118
   2502260544 TO 2502261051
   2502270516 TO 2502271023
   2502280449 TO 2502280956
   2503010421 TO 2503010928
   2503020354 TO 2503020901
E) ROCKET LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE
FLW RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENT OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
HAZARDOUS OPS WILL BE CONDUCTED FOR ATMOSPHERIC RE-ENTRY AND
SPLASHDOWN OF SPACEX STARLINK 12-13 STAGE 2 WI THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
2033S07500E, 0746S08927E, 0853S09228E, 2422S07500E TO BEGINNING.
F) SFC G) UNL

[StraumliBlight]

https://www.cadenaois.org/vpublic_anspdetail.jsp?view=15#

Primary Launch Day 24 FEB 0442Z-0913Z 0442Z-0913Z
Backup Launch Day (1) 25 FEB 0414Z-0845Z 0414Z-0845Z
Backup Launch Day (2) 26 FEB 0347Z-0818Z 0347Z-0818Z
Backup Launch Day (3) 27 FEB 0319Z-0750Z 0319Z-0750Z
Backup Launch Day (4) 28 FEB 0252Z-0723Z 0252Z-0723Z
Backup Launch Day (5) 01 MAR 0224Z-0655Z 0224Z-0655Z
Backup Launch Day (5) 02 MAR 0157Z-0628Z 0157Z-0628Z

[randomname]

NGA rocket launching notice for this launch.

211911Z FEB 25
NAVAREA IV 224/25(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   240442Z TO 240913Z FEB, ALTERNATE
   250414Z TO 250845Z, 260347Z TO 060818Z,
   270319Z TO 270750Z, 280252Z TO 280723Z FEB,
   010224Z TO 010655Z, 020157Z TO 020628Z MAR
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39.00N 080-37.69W, 28-39.00N 080-28.00W,
      28-30.00N 080-10.00W, 28-24.00N 080-09.00W,
      28-21.00N 080-11.00W, 28-23.00N 080-19.00W,
      28-29.36N 080-32.49W.
   B. 26-24.00N 076-29.00W, 26-29.00N 076-25.00W,
      26-29.00N 075-54.00W, 26-12.00N 075-07.00W,
      25-44.00N 074-19.00W, 25-24.00N 074-09.00W,
      25-10.00N 074-29.00W, 25-17.00N 074-58.00W,
      25-43.00N 075-40.00W, 26-01.00N 076-09.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 020728Z MAR 25.

[Martin_G]

https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jsp:

SPACEX STARLINK 12-13, CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:   02/24/25   0442Z-0913Z
BACKUP:      02/25/25   0414Z-0845Z

[StraumliBlight]

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-12-13

SpaceX is targeting Sunday, February 23 for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 11:42 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 3:42 a.m. ET on Monday, February 24. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Monday, February 24 starting at 11:14 p.m. ET.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.

This will be the first flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

B1091.1?

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1893002361825829050

[Steven Pietrobon]

PDF of online press kit and link to X livestream.

https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1MnxnwqYZgXKO

[zubenelgenubi]

After the fact

My bolds:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, 2nd update, February 15:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 18 at 6:00-10:00 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 21 at 6:31-10:31 a.m. EST. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the IM-2 lunar lander and Lunar Trailblazer orbiter for NASA, Intuitive Machines and Lockheed Martin from pad 39A on February 26 at 7:17 p.m. EST. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch NASA's Crew-10 to the International Space Station from pad 39A on March 12 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. Sunset is 7:29 p.m. The launch time gets 22-26 minutes earlier each day. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch.

The next Florida Starlink launch will likely be from SLC-40, as LC-39A is occupied by the IM-2 launch campaign.

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, February 18:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 18 at 6:00-10:00 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 21 at 6:31-10:31 a.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 23 at 11:42 p.m. - 3:42 a.m. EST. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the IM-2 lunar lander and Lunar Trailblazer orbiter for NASA, Intuitive Machines and Lockheed Martin from pad 39A on February 26 at 7:17 p.m. EST. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch NASA's Crew-10 to the International Space Station from pad 39A on March 12 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. Sunset is 7:29 p.m. The launch time gets 22-26 minutes earlier each day. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch.

Which first stage will be used for this launch? (semi-rhetorical question)

Falcon 9 first stages are now cleared for use up to forty times for non-crewed launches, although that number is apparently more restricted for Cargo Dragon or Cygnus than these other payloads.

Available first stages, with UTC date of most recent recovery:
1072.2    Jun 25   ?
1090.2    Dec 17   Crew-10?
1085.6    Jan 15   (hold back for ISS cargo or crew?)
1083.9    Jan 21   IM-2
1076.21  Jan 27  Starlink 12-14
1069.22  Feb 4
1086.5    Feb 4
1078.18  Feb 8
1077.19  Feb 11  (maybe)

Edit February 21: It's probably the new first stage B1091.1.

Edit February 25: It's either B1091.1 or B1092.1.

Edit February 28: It's B1092.1, observed during return to Port Canaveral.

B1091.1?

Cross-post:

https://twitter.com/falcon9watchers/status/1870132231684944172

B1091 (Number not confirmed) has gone vertical at McGregor
This is a reusable Falcon 9 booster, it's first launch is yet to be known

( Credit: NSF McGregor Live )

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/
Supplemental GP Element Sets
Current as of 2025 Feb 22 19:59:37 UTC (Day 053)

Starlink G12-13 Pre-Launch   
Derived from a pre-launch Starlink-G12-13 state vector, provided by SpaceX. SupGP data is provided for the entire stack, as well as one for a single satellite.

Launch: 2025-02-24 04:42:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-02-24 05:47:22.520 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-02-24 04:42:00 UTC to 2025-02-24 08:42:00 UTC

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g12-13&FORMAT=tle
Pre-Launch Derived Orbit: 284 km x 293 km x 43.00 deg

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/

Starlink G12-13 Pre-Launch
Derived from a pre-launch Starlink-G12-13 state vector, provided by SpaceX. SupGP data is provided for the entire stack, as well as one for a single satellite.

Launch: 2025-02-24 04:42:00 UTC. Deploy: 2025-02-24 05:47:22.520 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-02-24 04:42:00 UTC to 2025-02-24 04:42:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #1 Launch: 2025-02-24 06:36:50 UTC. Deploy: 2025-02-24 07:42:12.520 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-02-24 06:36:50 UTC to 2025-02-24 06:37:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #2 Launch: 2025-02-24 07:37:40 UTC. Deploy: 2025-02-24 08:43:02.520 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-02-24 07:37:40 UTC to 2025-02-24 07:39:59 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #3 Launch: 2025-02-24 08:23:00 UTC. Deploy: 2025-02-24 09:28:22.520 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-02-24 08:23:00 UTC to 2025-02-24 08:23:49 UTC.

[GewoonLukas_]

Delayed by a day:

SpaceX is targeting Monday, February 24 for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 11:26 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 3:06 a.m. ET on Tuesday, February 25. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Tuesday, February 25 starting at 10:47 p.m. ET.

= 04:26 UTC

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-12-13

[realnouns]

Signet Warhorse II + JRTI departed PC on Feb 15 @ 5:59pm ET

Signet Warhorse II + JRTI + B1080 returned to PC on Feb 21 @ 10:04am ET

Signet Warhorse III + JRTI departed PC on Feb 22 @ sometime before 11:59am ET

[realnouns]

Bob departed PC on Feb 16 @ 8:27am ET

Bob returned to PC on Feb 20 @ 4:19pm ET

Bob departed PC on Feb 22 @ sometime before 9:26am ET

[mto]

Delayed a bit to 06:03 UTC

SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, February 25 for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 1:03 a.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 3:06 a.m. ET. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Tuesday, February 25 starting at 10:47 p.m. ET.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-12-13

[Galactic Penguin SST]

T-0 now at 07:11:20 UTC (2:11 am EST).

[Galactic Penguin SST]

T-0 now at 07:11:20 UTC (2:11 am EST).

Now 08:02:20 UTC (3:02 am EST).

[GewoonLukas_]

Scrubbed for today, now targeting 03:47 UTC tomorrow:

SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, February 25 for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 10:47 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 2:47 a.m. ET on Wednesday, February 26. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Wednesday, February 26 starting at 10:19 p.m. ET.

[Steven Pietrobon]

PDF of updated press kit.

[crandles57]

Signet Warhorse III + JRTI departed PC on Feb 22 @ sometime before 11:59am ET

Not sure if it is useful but per https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:6888044/mmsi:368219920/imo:0/vessel:MARMAC_303
Actual time of departure:
2025-02-21 21:07 (UTC-5)

[GewoonLukas_]

Now targeting 04:45:20 UTC:

SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, February 25 for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 11:45 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 2:47 a.m. ET on Wednesday, February 26. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Wednesday, February 26 starting at 10:19 p.m. ET.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-12-13

Launch: 2025-02-26 04:45:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-02-26 05:50:42.520 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-02-26 04:45:20 UTC to 2025-02-26 04:46:29 UTC.

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/

[cwr]

Can anyone clarify what the serial number of the 1st stage for Starlink 12-13 is?

The press kit is amboguous, simply saying its an unflown stage.
From that I assumed it was 1090, then I saw a post saying 1091 from an NSF member.

However I saw a live feed showing an unflown stage going to SLC40.
Then about 24 hours later I saw photos of 1091 at McGregor  in posts on the McGregor thread.
So I think it's 1090 for this flight but confirmation would be good.

thanks

Carl