SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-12 : KSC LC-39A : 3/4 September 2023 (02:47 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Thread for the Starlink 6-12 group launch.

NSF Threads for Starlink 6-12: Discussion

Launch 4 September 2023, at 02:47:00 UTC (3 September 10:47 pm EDT), from Kennedy LC-39A, on booster 1073-10.  The first stage successfully landed aboard Just Read the Instructions.

Payload 21 Starlink V2 Mini satellites to 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.


L2 SpaceX: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=60.0

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-posts:

0964-EX-ST-2023  Mission 1897 Starlink Group 6-12
NET June from Florida [NET May 31]
ASDS North  25  38  18   West  74  59  6

All the Florida Starlink Group 6 launches, 6-10 and up, were listed for H2 2023 on our USA launch update thread here.


Then,

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7176

Starlink Group 6-12
Launch Time
NET September 2023

But then,

https://www.launchphotography.com/Launch_Viewing_Guide.html

UPDATED AUGUST [7], 2023

A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on August 14 earliest. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40.

And, O3b mPower 5 and 6 is no longer NET August:

NextSpaceflight, updated August 11:
Launch NET September 2023

This delay could allow another SLC-40 Starlink launch, NET late August.

Assuming (big assumption) that SpaceX continues to launch Florida Group 6 Starlink in ascending numerical order, this launch will be 6-12.

[crandles57]

This delay could allow another SLC-40 Starlink launch, NET late August.

As Crew-7 is RTLS, is there room for two Starlink launches after 6-11 on 21st August during August? ~26th and ~31st? OK, probably pushing it to hope to get 1 from 39A, 7 from 40 and 3 from VSFB for 11 in the month. 10 does seems more plausible.

[zubenelgenubi]

This delay could allow another SLC-40 Starlink launch, NET late August.

As Crew-7 is RTLS, is there room for two Starlink launches after 6-11 on 21st August during August? ~26th and ~31st? OK, probably pushing it to hope to get 1 from 39A, 7 from 40 and 3 from VSFB for 11 in the month. 10 does seems more plausible.

Plausible, but as an observer of recent past performance, not a high amount of probability.
Would be awesome, I agree. 👍

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-posts:
And, O3b mPower 5 and 6 is no longer NET August:

NextSpaceflight, updated August 11:
Launch NET September 2023

This delay could allow another SLC-40 Starlink launch, NET late August.

NextSpaceflight, updated August 13:
Launch NET August 27th, 2023

Starlink 6-12 launch NET September, after all.
Perhaps NET early September?

[zubenelgenubi]

My bold:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated August 15:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on August 16 at 8:14 p.m. EDT or later. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on late August. A Falcon 9 will launch the next crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station from pad 39A on August 25 at 3:49 a.m. EDT. The launch time gets 22-26 mins earlier each day. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the mPOWER-C mission for SES from pad 40 on August 27 in the late afternoon EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40.

[zubenelgenubi]

O3b mPower 5 and 6:

Delayed again...more issues?

NextSpaceflight (Updated August 21/22)
Launch NET October / Q4 2023
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6943

Will this Starlink launch be substituted in its place?

NSF Launch Roundup: SpaceX to launch four missions, Progress MS-24 to resupply ISS, Trevor Sesnik, August 21

...SpaceX is expected to end the week off with another Starlink mission from SLC-40.

[wannamoonbase]

O3b mPower 5 and 6:

Delayed again...more issues?

NextSpaceflight (Updated August 21/22)
Launch NET October / Q4 2023
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6943

Will this Starlink launch be substituted in its place?

NSF Launch Roundup: SpaceX to launch four missions, Progress MS-24 to resupply ISS, Trevor Sesnik, August 21

...SpaceX is expected to end the week off with another Starlink mission from SLC-40.

Just keep slotting in those Starlink flights, pending ASDS schedules.

[realnouns]

Crosby Skipper + ASOG departed Port Canaveral August 23 @ 6:56am ET
Unclear if this is for Starlink 6-12, testing, or another mission.  Headed straight south and now loitering around anchor point ASDSs have previously posted up at.  We'll see if it comes back into port or heads out for a mission.

[UPDATE:  CS + ASOG reentered PC after testing @ 3:05pm ET]

[zubenelgenubi]

Starlink 6-11:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated August 23:

Falcon 9, August 25 @ between 9:23 p.m. and 11:20 p.m. EDT (pad 40)

= 26 August 01:23 to 03:20 UTC

Starlink 6-12 launch is still possible before the end of the month.

[Ken the Bin]

Starlink 6-11:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated August 23:

Falcon 9, August 25 @ between 9:23 p.m. and 11:20 p.m. EDT (pad 40)

= 26 August 01:23 to 03:20 UTC

Starlink 6-12 launch is still possible before the end of the month.

The FCC ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory does not have 6-12, but now has 6-13.

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

SPACE X STARLINK 6-13 (X1846) CCSFS, FL
PRIMARY:    08/29/23    0047Z-0517Z
BACKUP:     08/30/23    0022Z-0452Z
            08/30/23    2357Z-0427Z
            08/31/23    2331Z-0401Z
            09/01/23    2306Z-0336Z
            09/02/23    2241Z-0311Z
            09/03/23    2216Z-0246Z

[GewoonLukas_]

NextSpaceflight (Updated August 24th)
Launch NET September 2nd 2023, ~01:00 UTC
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7176

[Ken the Bin]

NextSpaceflight (Updated August 24th)
Launch NET September 2nd 2023, ~01:00 UTC
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7176

That's for the actual 6-12.  6-13 is the launch that's up next (at least per the FAA ATCSCC Operations Plan). Is this topic going to be changed to 6-13? I don't see a topic for 6-13

Here are NGA notices for 6-13.

EDIT: Removed the NGA notices, which are now in the new 6-13 topic.

[GewoonLukas_]

That's for the actual 6-12.  6-13 is the launch that's up next (at least per the FAA ATCSCC Operations Plan). Is this topic going to be changed to 6-13? I don't see a topic for 6-13

I've just made a new topic for Starlink Group 6-13, so this topic can stay for Starlink Group 6-12

[wannamoonbase]

That's for the actual 6-12.  6-13 is the launch that's up next (at least per the FAA ATCSCC Operations Plan). Is this topic going to be changed to 6-13? I don't see a topic for 6-13

I've just made a new topic for Starlink Group 6-13, so this topic can stay for Starlink Group 6-12

Flight 13 already, these Starlink flights are really moving quickly now.

[zubenelgenubi]

Starlink 6-13:

Starlink 6-11:

Presumably now delayed by 24 hours because of the Crew-7 scrub.

Presumably, a delay to Starlink 6-11 will result in a similar delay to Starlink 6-13.

Presumably, a delay to Starlink 6-13 will result in a similar delay to Starlink 6-12.

[GewoonLukas_]

NextSpaceflight (Updated August 24th/25th)
Launch NET September 4th 2023, 01:00 UTC
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7176

[zubenelgenubi]

For Starlink 6-12?
Move to SLC-40 instead of LC-39A, for Starlink 6-13?

Not sure if there are any F9 decals on it, could be a FH side booster, 1073 or 76?

Well . . .

It was a #SpaceX & #NASA type of day so far! B-1073 rolls by the VAB to LC-39A for integration & media set remote cameras around LC-39A with four locations.

https://twitter.com/SchilkeScott/status/1694842357017870670

[zubenelgenubi]

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

The May 16 press briefing revealed Falcon 9 first stages are now cleared for use up to twenty times for Starlink launches.

1064.4 and 1065.4 are reserved as the Falcon Heavy side boosters for Psyche.

1072.1 is reserved for Cygnus NG-20.

1076.7 and 1073.10 may undergo modifications to become Falcon Heavy side boosters for a future launch, but are apparently still available for "single-stick" launches at the current time.

Available first stages, with UTC date of most recent recovery:
1073.10  Jun 12
1058.17  Jul 10
1060.17  Jul 16
1076.7    Jul 24
1062.16  Jul 28 (after "deep" inspection?)
1077.7    Aug 3 Starlink 6-13
1078.5    Aug 7
1069.10  Aug 11
1067.14  Aug 17 (maybe)

Edit September 1: It's B1073.10.

[Josh_from_Canada]

Both Ben Cooper and Next Spaceflight list this mission launching from 39A