Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 12-20 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 2/3 March 2025 (02:24 UTC) (Read 13194 times)

Galactic Penguin SST · « **on:** 02/18/2025 10:49 pm »

Thread for the Starlink Group 12-20 launch.

Launch 3 March 2025, at 02:24:00 UTC (2 March 9:24 pm EST), from CCSFS SLC-40, on booster 1086-5. The first stage landed aboard Just Read the Instructions, but soon toppled due to a fire, resulting in the loss of the stage.

Payload 21 Starlink V2 Mini satellites, 13 of which are Direct-to-Cell, to a 43.00 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 · « **Reply #1 on:** 02/18/2025 10:50 pm »

This has now shown up on CADENA OIS:

Primary/Backup Days Dates AHA-A AHA- B1 & B2 Primary Launch Day 28 FEB 0252Z-0723Z 0252Z-0723Z Backup Launch Day (1) 01 MAR 0224Z-0655Z 0224Z-0655Z Backup Launch Day (2) 02 MAR 0157Z-0628Z 0157Z-0628Z Backup Launch Day (3) 03 MAR 0129Z-0600Z 0129Z-0600Z Backup Launch Day (4) 04 MAR 0102Z-0533Z 0102Z-0533Z Backup Launch Day (5) 05 MAR 0034Z-0505Z 0034Z-0505Z Backup Launch Day (5) 06 MAR 0007Z-0438Z 0007Z-0438Z

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #2 on:** 02/22/2025 10:34 pm »

My bolds:

Quote from: Salo on 02/06/2025 04:33 pm

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, February 6:
Quote
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 7 at 1:50-5:50 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 11 at 12:00-4:00 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 14 at 12:26-4:26 p.m. EST. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the IM-2 lunar lander for NASA & Intuitive Machines 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 mid-March, in the evening EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch.

First specific mention of Florida Starlink launches after IM-2.

Quote from: Salo on 02/18/2025 01:27 pm

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

Is there room for another SLC-40 Starlink launch before IM-2?

Quote from: Salo on 02/19/2025 02:30 pm

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, February 19:
Quote
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket 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. 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. Saturn V Center tickets available. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 27 at 9:52 p.m. - 1:52 a.m. EST. 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.

No, just after IM-2 launch.

randomname · « **Reply #3 on:** 02/23/2025 04:04 am »

NGA rocket launching notice for this launch.

Quote from: NGA

182340Z FEB 25
NAVAREA IV 230/25(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
280252Z TO 280723Z FEB, ALTERNATE
010224Z TO 010655Z, 020157Z TO 020628Z
030129Z TO 030600Z, 040102Z TO 040533Z
050034Z TO 050505Z AND 060007Z TO 060438Z 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,
28-29.35N 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 060538Z MAR 25.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #4 on:** 02/23/2025 02:14 pm »

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 (hold back for ISS cargo or crew?)
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
1067.27 Feb 15

~~1091.1 or 1092.1 New~~ ~~1092.1~~ Starlink 12-13

Edit February 28: It's B1086.5, skipping B1072.2, B1090.2, B1085.6, and B1069.22.

Edited

Martin_G · « **Reply #5 on:** 02/24/2025 07:44 pm »

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

Quote

SPACEX STARLINK 12-20, CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY: 02/28/25 0252Z-0723Z
BACKUP: 03/01/25 0224Z-0655Z

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #6 on:** 02/26/2025 08:31 am »

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/
Current as of 2025 Feb 26 07:59:32 UTC (Day 057)

Quote

Starlink G12-20 Pre-Launch
Derived from a pre-launch Starlink-G12-20 state vector, provided by SpaceX. SupGP data is provided for the entire stack, as well as one for a single satellite.

Launch: 2025-02-28 02:52:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-02-28 03:57:16.300 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-02-28 02:52:00 UTC to 2025-02-28 06:52:00 UTC

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g12-20&FORMAT=tle
Pre-Launch Derived Orbit: 284 km x 293 km x 43.00 deg

Starlink 12-13 is currently scheduled to launch February 27 UTC. And, there is ASDS turnaround to consider. I suspect that this launch will be delayed.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #7 on:** 02/26/2025 11:21 am »

Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 02/26/2025 08:31 am

Starlink 12-13 is currently scheduled to launch February 27 UTC. And, there is ASDS turnaround to consider. I suspect that this launch will be delayed.

My bolds:

Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 02/26/2025 07:22 am

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, February 26 (after Starlink 12-13 scrub):
Quote
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the IM-2 lunar lander from pad 39A on February 26 at 7:16 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 26 at 10:34 p.m. - 2:34 a.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on March 1 earliest at 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on March 3 or 4 earliest at 1:55-5:55 a.m. EST. 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.

Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 02/18/2025 10:50 pm

This has now shown up on CADENA OIS:

Primary/Backup Days Dates AHA-A AHA- B1 & B2 Primary Launch Day 28 FEB 0252Z-0723Z Backup Launch Day (1) 01 MAR 0224Z-0655Z Backup Launch Day (2) 02 MAR 0157Z-0628Z Backup Launch Day (3) 03 MAR 0129Z-0600Z Backup Launch Day (4) 04 MAR 0102Z-0533Z Backup Launch Day (5) 05 MAR 0034Z-0505Z Backup Launch Day (5) 06 MAR 0007Z-0438Z

Martin_G · « **Reply #8 on:** 02/27/2025 07:45 am »

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

Quote

SPACEX STARLINK 12-20, CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY: 03/02/25 0157Z-0628Z
BACKUP: 03/03/25 0129Z-0600Z

randomname · « **Reply #9 on:** 02/28/2025 03:06 am »

NGA rocket launching notice and space debris notice. Indicates 1-day delay to 3rd UTC, 2nd local.

Quote from: NGA

272244Z FEB 25
NAVAREA IV 250/25(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
030129Z TO 030600Z MAR, ALTERNATE
040102Z TO 040533Z, 050034Z TO 050505Z,
060007Z TO 060438Z, 062339Z TO 070410Z,
072312Z TO 080343Z AND 082244Z TO 090315Z MAR
IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 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.
B. 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,
28-29.35N 080-32.49W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 090415Z MAR 25.

Quote from: NGA

272331Z FEB 25
NAVAREA IV 251/25(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
030129Z TO 030600Z MAR, ALTERNATE
040102Z TO 040533Z, 050034Z TO 050505Z,
060007Z TO 060438Z, 062339Z TO 070410Z,
072312Z TO 080343Z AND 082244Z TO 090315Z MAR
IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 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.
B. 28-39.00N 080-38.00W, 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,
28-29.00N 080-32.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 090415Z MAR 25.

Galactic Penguin SST · « **Reply #10 on:** 02/28/2025 04:53 pm »

From Celestrak:

Quote

Starlink G12-20 Pre-Launch
Derived from a pre-launch Starlink-G12-20 state vector, provided by SpaceX. SupGP data is provided for the entire stack, as well as one for a single satellite.

Launch: 2025-03-03 02:24:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-03-03 03:29:16.420 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-03-03 02:24:00 UTC to 2025-03-03 02:25:59 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #1
Launch: 2025-03-03 03:18:10 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-03-03 04:23:26.420 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-03-03 03:18:10 UTC to 2025-03-03 03:20:09 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #2
Launch: 2025-03-03 05:21:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-03-03 06:26:36.420 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-03-03 05:21:20 UTC to 2025-03-03 05:21:49 UTC.

StraumliBlight · « **Reply #11 on:** 02/28/2025 10:55 pm »

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-12-20

Quote

SpaceX is targeting Sunday, March 2 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 9:24 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 12:21 a.m. ET on Monday, March 3. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Monday, March 3 starting at 10:04 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 is the fifth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched GOES-U, Maxar 3, and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

B1086.5

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1895587520056082504

catdlr · « **Reply #12 on:** 02/28/2025 11:36 pm »

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

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

SpaceX Re-broadcast alternatives on YouTube:
Space Affairs: https://youtube.com/watch?v=O9j1MdlaRl0

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

NSF Live Coverage: Lionk provided as the launch day approaches

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #13 on:** 03/01/2025 10:57 am »

PDF of online press kit.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #14 on:** 03/02/2025 11:41 pm »

Quote from: catdlr on 02/28/2025 11:36 pm

NSF Live Coverage: Link provided as the launch day approaches

Not yet finding live coverage link ~1 hour 40 minutes to launch.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #15 on:** 03/03/2025 01:06 am »

Countdown underway.
SFN live webcast screencaps:
Propellant load begins
T-20:20 vent

catdlr · « **Reply #16 on:** 03/03/2025 01:10 am »

Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 03/02/2025 11:41 pm

Quote from: catdlr on 02/28/2025 11:36 pm
NSF Live Coverage: Link provided as the launch day approaches
Not yet finding live coverage link ~1 hour 40 minutes to launch.

The crew is covering the ship stacking, they may jump over to F9 coverage.

catdlr · « **Reply #17 on:** 03/03/2025 01:14 am »

Here is a back up for now:

catdlr · « **Reply #18 on:** 03/03/2025 01:19 am »

T-5 min

catdlr · « **Reply #19 on:** 03/03/2025 01:20 am »

t-4 min strongback retrack started.