SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-90 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 11 December 2025 (22:01 UTC)

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Thread for the Starlink Group 6-90 launch.

Launch 11 December 2025, at 22:01:20 UTC (5:01 pm EST), from CCSFS SLC-40, on booster 1083-16. The first stage successfully landed aboard A Shortfall Of Gravitas.

Payload 29 Starlink V2.0 Mini satellites, to a 43.00 degrees inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit 262 km x 274 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

[Galactic Penguin SST]

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

SPACEX STARTLINK 6-90, CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:   12/11/25   1859Z-2342Z
BACKUP:   12/12/25   1833Z-2316Z

[Galactic Penguin SST]

https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl-6-90

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is targeting the launch of 29 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

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 X TV app.

This will be the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-8, Polaris Dawn, CRS-31, Astranis: From One to Many, IM-2, Commercial GTO-1, and nine Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

[zubenelgenubi]

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/
Supplemental GP Element Sets
Current as of 2025 Dec 09 01:59:18 UTC (Day 343)

Starlink G6-90 Pre-Launch   
Derived from a pre-launch Starlink-G6-90 state vector, provided by SpaceX. SupGP data is provided for the entire stack, as well as one for a single satellite.
Launch: 2025-12-11 18:59:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 20:04:01.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 18:59:00 UTC to 2025-12-11 22:59:00 UTC.

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g6-90&FORMAT=tle
Pre-Launch Derived Orbit:
262 km x 274 km x 43.00 deg

[Steven Pietrobon]

PDF of online press kit.

[zubenelgenubi]

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/
Supplemental GP Element Sets
Current as of 2025 Dec 10 20:47:10 UTC (Day 344)

Starlink G6-90 Pre-Launch   
Derived from a pre-launch Starlink-G6-90 state vector, provided by SpaceX. SupGP data is provided for the entire stack, as well as one for a single satellite.

Launch: 2025-12-11 19:20:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 20:25:41.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 19:20:40 UTC to 2025-12-11 19:27:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #1   
Launch: 2025-12-11 19:42:10 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 20:47:11.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 19:42:10 UTC to 2025-12-11 19:42:19 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #2   
Launch: 2025-12-11 19:42:30 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 20:47:31.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 19:42:30 UTC to 2025-12-11 19:43:09 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #3   
Launch: 2025-12-11 19:43:10 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 20:48:11.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 19:43:10 UTC to 2025-12-11 19:44:59 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #4   
Launch: 2025-12-11 19:54:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 20:59:01.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 19:54:00 UTC to 2025-12-11 19:57:29 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #5   
Launch: 2025-12-11 19:57:30 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 21:02:31.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 19:57:30 UTC to 2025-12-11 20:01:59 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #6   
Launch: 2025-12-11 20:02:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 21:07:21.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 20:02:20 UTC to 2025-12-11 20:03:59 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #7   
Launch: 2025-12-11 20:04:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 21:09:01.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 20:04:00 UTC to 2025-12-11 20:09:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #8   
Launch: 2025-12-11 20:22:30 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 21:27:31.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 20:22:30 UTC to 2025-12-11 20:26:09 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #9   
Launch: 2025-12-11 20:26:10 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 21:31:11.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 20:26:10 UTC to 2025-12-11 20:27:29 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #10   
Launch: 2025-12-11 20:27:30 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 21:32:31.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 20:27:30 UTC to 2025-12-11 20:30:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #11   
Launch: 2025-12-11 20:55:50 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 22:00:51.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 20:55:50 UTC to 2025-12-11 21:03:39 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #12   
Launch: 2025-12-11 21:11:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 22:16:01.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 21:11:00 UTC to 2025-12-11 21:21:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #13   
Launch: 2025-12-11 21:28:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 22:33:41.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 21:28:40 UTC to 2025-12-11 21:37:29 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #14   
Launch: 2025-12-11 21:37:30 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 22:42:31.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 21:37:30 UTC to 2025-12-11 21:37:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #15   
Launch: 2025-12-11 21:38:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 22:43:21.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 21:38:20 UTC to 2025-12-11 21:38:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #16   
Launch: 2025-12-11 21:39:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 22:44:01.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 21:39:00 UTC to 2025-12-11 21:42:59 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #17   
Launch: 2025-12-11 21:43:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 22:48:01.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 21:43:00 UTC to 2025-12-11 21:45:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #18   
Launch: 2025-12-11 21:59:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 23:04:21.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 21:59:20 UTC to 2025-12-11 22:03:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #19   
Launch: 2025-12-11 22:03:50 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 23:08:51.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 22:03:50 UTC to 2025-12-11 22:04:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #20   
Launch: 2025-12-11 22:30:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 23:35:41.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 22:30:40 UTC to 2025-12-11 22:34:39 UTC.

[catdlr]

https://x.com/bluemoondance74/status/1998944785764356233

UPDATE: The T-0 for @SpaceX’s Falcon 9  - Starlink 6-90 launch on THURS, Dec 11, has moved to 3:26pm ET* (2026 UTC).

Backup Launch Opportunity #9   
Launch: 2025-12-11 20:26:10 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 21:31:11.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 20:26:10 UTC to 2025-12-11 20:27:29 UTC.

[zubenelgenubi]

Celestrak revision; same launch time:
https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/
Supplemental GP Element Sets
Current as of 2025 Dec 11 04:46:42 UTC (Day 345)

Starlink G6-90 Pre-Launch   
Derived from a pre-launch Starlink-G6-90 state vector, provided by SpaceX. SupGP data is provided for the entire stack, as well as one for a single satellite.

Launch: 2025-12-11 18:59:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 20:04:01.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 18:59:00 UTC to 2025-12-11 19:00:19 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #1   
Launch: 2025-12-11 19:00:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 20:05:21.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 19:00:20 UTC to 2025-12-11 19:00:59 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #2   
Launch: 2025-12-11 19:41:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 20:46:21.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 19:41:20 UTC to 2025-12-11 19:43:09 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #3   
Launch: 2025-12-11 19:43:10 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 20:48:11.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 19:43:10 UTC to 2025-12-11 19:44:09 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #4   
Launch: 2025-12-11 20:00:30 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 21:05:31.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 20:00:30 UTC to 2025-12-11 20:01:59 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #5   
Launch: 2025-12-11 20:02:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 21:07:21.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 20:02:20 UTC to 2025-12-11 20:10:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #6   
Launch: 2025-12-11 20:23:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 21:28:21.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 20:23:20 UTC to 2025-12-11 20:24:09 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #7   
Launch: 2025-12-11 20:24:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 21:29:41.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 20:24:40 UTC to 2025-12-11 20:26:09 UTC.

⟹ Backup Launch Opportunity #8   
Launch: 2025-12-11 20:26:10 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 21:31:11.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 20:26:10 UTC to 2025-12-11 20:34:59 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #9   
Launch: 2025-12-11 21:11:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 22:16:41.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 21:11:40 UTC to 2025-12-11 21:20:59 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #10   
Launch: 2025-12-11 21:41:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 22:46:01.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 21:41:00 UTC to 2025-12-11 21:45:09 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #11   
Launch: 2025-12-11 22:01:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 23:06:21.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 22:01:20 UTC to 2025-12-11 22:05:59 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #12   
Launch: 2025-12-11 22:06:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 23:11:01.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 22:06:00 UTC to 2025-12-11 22:08:19 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #13   
Launch: 2025-12-11 22:49:50 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 23:54:51.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 22:49:50 UTC to 2025-12-11 22:57:09 UTC.

[catdlr]

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

SpaceX's direct live broadcast on
Website: https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl-6-90
 Twitter:  https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1kvJpMaYAAPxE

NSF Live Coverage:  https://youtube.com/watch?v=kWZPbondAD8

SpaceX Re-broadcast alternatives on YouTube:
Space Affairs:  https://youtube.com/watch?v=IQlPxsDAoi0

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

Post Launch Extras:

CelesTrak has ephemeris-based SupGP data: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/
Max-Qproductions by Pete Carstens: https://www.youtube.com/@maxqproductions1

[catdlr]

T-55 min NSF Coverage has started

[catdlr]

Booster launch stats

[catdlr]

Launch Hazard Zones

[catdlr]

Launch Weather

[catdlr]

Launch Timeline.  Go/No-Go decision coming up at the start of propellant loading.

[catdlr]

Count Down in a HOLD  (for a short time - has resumed)

[catdlr]

Countdown has been adjusted to a later period.

Now T-2hr 13 min

[catdlr]

Updated launch opportunity:

Backup Launch Opportunity #11   
Launch: 2025-12-11 22:01:20 UTC.    5:01:20 PM ET
Deploy: 2025-12-11 23:06:21.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 22:01:20 UTC to 2025-12-11 22:05:59 UTC.

[ZachS09]

Updated launch opportunity:

Backup Launch Opportunity #11   
Launch: 2025-12-11 22:01:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 23:06:21.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 22:01:20 UTC to 2025-12-11 22:05:59 UTC.

Quite a delay.

[catdlr]

Updated launch opportunity:

Backup Launch Opportunity #11   
Launch: 2025-12-11 22:01:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 23:06:21.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 22:01:20 UTC to 2025-12-11 22:05:59 UTC.

Quite a delay.

Discussion (rumor):  This was the most rapid turnaround for this pad by 7 hours (actual).  (Rumor)It's possible that they were pushing to hard and there may have been some items that needed attention.

[ZachS09]

Updated launch opportunity:

Backup Launch Opportunity #11   
Launch: 2025-12-11 22:01:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-11 23:06:21.800 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-11 22:01:20 UTC to 2025-12-11 22:05:59 UTC.

Quite a delay.

Discussion (rumor):  This was the most rapid turnaround for this pad by 7 hours (actual).  (Rumor)It's possible that they were pushing to hard and there may have been some items that needed attention.

Reality vs ambition.

SpaceX wants to shave off as many hours as possible, but it comes at a price.