SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L20 : CCSFS SLC-40 : March 11, 2021 (08:13 UTC)

[gongora]

Discussion thread for Starlink v1.0 L20

NSF Threads for Starlink v1.0 L20: Discussion

Successful launch March 11, 2021 at 3:13 am EST (08:13 UTC) on Falcon 9 (booster 1058-6) from SLC-40. Successful ASDS landing on JRTI. Fairing recovery is expected.

Payload: A batch of 60 Starlink satellites. Expected deployment orbit of approximately 250x280km.

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

From a previous mission's Press Kit:

Each Starlink satellite weights approximately 260 kg and features a compact, flat-panel design that minimizes volume, allowing for a dense launch stack to take full advantage of Falcon 9’s launch capabilities. With four powerful phased array and two parabolic antennas on each satellite ... At end of their life cycle, the satellites will utilize their on-board propulsion system to deorbit over the course of a few months. In the unlikely event their propulsion system becomes inoperable, the satellites will burn up in Earth’s atmosphere within 1-5 years, significantly less than the hundreds or thousands of years required at higher altitudes. Further, Starlink components are designed for full demisability.

Starlink is targeting service to near global coverage of the populated world by 2021. Additional information on the system can be found at starlink.com.

[DreamyPickle]

Will this actually fly in February?

If so it will be only the second time that SpaceX launches 4 times in the same calendar month.

[Jansen]

Will this actually fly in February?.

Most likely around Feb 21 timeframe from SLC-40.

[oldAtlas_Eguy]

Will this actually fly in February?.

Most likely around Feb 21 timeframe from SLC-40.

A NET of Feb 21 (min 8 days) but also a Likely NLT Feb 27 (14 days).
The limitation is booster availability mostly. 1051 would be a L2L of 32 days on the 21 Feb and 35 days on the 24 Feb. 1058 would be a L2L of 28 days on the 21 Feb and 35 days on the 28 Feb.

Note that it is possible for a L21 launch from 39A with a NET of Feb 25 to a NLT of Mar Apr 3.

5 launches in Feb still a possibility!!!!!!

[wannamoonbase]

Will this actually fly in February?.

Most likely around Feb 21 timeframe from SLC-40.

A NET of Feb 21 (min 8 days) but also a Likely NLT Feb 27 (14 days).
The limitation is booster availability mostly. 1051 would be a L2L of 32 days on the 21 Feb and 35 days on the 24 Feb. 1058 would be a L2L of 28 days on the 21 Feb and 35 days on the 28 Feb.

Note that it is possible for a L21 launch from 39A with a NET of Feb 25 to a NLT of Mar Apr 3.

5 launches in Feb still a possibility!!!!!!

ASDS availability seems to be limiting right now too. 

[oldAtlas_Eguy]

Will this actually fly in February?.

Most likely around Feb 21 timeframe from SLC-40.

A NET of Feb 21 (min 8 days) but also a Likely NLT Feb 27 (14 days).
The limitation is booster availability mostly. 1051 would be a L2L of 32 days on the 21 Feb and 35 days on the 24 Feb. 1058 would be a L2L of 28 days on the 21 Feb and 35 days on the 28 Feb.

Note that it is possible for a L21 launch from 39A with a NET of Feb 25 to a NLT of Mar Apr 3.

5 launches in Feb still a possibility!!!!!!

ASDS availability seems to be limiting right now too.

For a Starlink to Starlink launch on the same pad both the pad cycle minimum and the ASDS cycle minimum seems to be about 8 days. At least they keep trying for that interval. But the actual seems to be keep being at ~11 days mostly due to weather. Which would put a nominal date for L20 of ~Feb 26. Also note that the probable boosters would have a cycle time of 37 days for 1051 and 33 days for 1058. Not even pushing it for either. SpaceX will likely choose whichever booster is the first to be ready to go. Which could be 1058 vs the larger cycle span time for 1051. It is a matter of which booster needs the least amount of issue corrections or checks.

[Raul]

Active NOTAM in MELBOURNE information region for Stage2 reentry of Starlink_v1.0-L20 mission with primary date planned NET February 25 in window between 09:33-10:30 UTC, backup dates February 26 to March 01.
Reentry area south of Australia is typical for flight profile with double S2 burn and circular deploying orbit.

MELBOURNE (FIR/FIC/ACC/COM/MET)
NOTAM #: F0548/21      Class: International      Status: ActiveIssue Date UTC: 02/16/2021 2002      Start Date UTC: 02/25/2021 0933      End Date UTC: 03/01/2021 0903
F0548/21 NOTAMN
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/4946S11913E999
A) YMMM
B) 2102250933 C) 2103010903
D) 2102250933 TO 2102251030
   2102260911 TO 2102261008
   2102270850 TO 2102270947
   2102280828 TO 2102280925
   2103010806 TO 2103010903
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 LAUNCH VEHICLE OP  X0561 FALCON-9 STARLINK V1.0-L20
STAGE 2 REENTRY WI THE FOLLOWING AREA:
FROM 2943S   06007E
TO 2455S   06427E
TO 3845S   08430E
TO 4512S   09945E
TO 4946S   11913E
TO 5042S   13819E
TO 4850S   15644E
TO 5146S   15808E
TO 5442S   14832E
TO 5620S   13103E
TO 5552S   10750E
TO 4911S   08505E
TO 3432S   06413E TO BEGINNING
F) SFC G) UNL

[gongora]

In this case, the T0 on February 25th should be ~09:48 UTC (4:48 AM EST).

That notice is for second stage reentry, not launch

[zubenelgenubi]

Active NOTAM in MELBOURNE information region for Stage2 reentry of Starlink_v1.0-L20 mission with primary date planned NET February 25 in window between 09:33-10:30 UTC, backup dates February 26 to March 01.
Reentry area south of Australia is typical for flight profile with double S2 burn and circular deploying orbit.
<snip>

Approximately 1 1/2 orbits from launch to re-entry.

Approximately 90 minutes for a Low Earth Orbit.

Re-entry is approximately 135 minutes after launch. (90+45)

Subtracting 135 minutes from ~09:35 UTC ~= 07:20 UTC launch time.

It takes several minutes to accelerate from 0 to orbital velocity, so the actual re-entry time would be several minutes later. Somewhere around 02:30 07:30 UTC.  = 02:30 EST.

Edit: Fixed final answer--mislabeled EST time as UTC time.

[zubenelgenubi]

Given that LC-39A will be occupied until the currently date-TBD Starlink launch occurs, I expect that this launch will go from SLC-40.
I think so. I don't know so.

[gongora]

Given that LC-39A will be occupied until the currently date-TBD Starlink launch occurs, I expect that this launch will go from SLC-40.
I think so. I don't know so.

It has to go from 40.

[oldAtlas_Eguy]

Given that LC-39A will be occupied until the currently date-TBD Starlink launch occurs, I expect that this launch will go from SLC-40.
I think so. I don't know so.

It has to go from 40.

SpaceX believes they can do a 8 day L2L on LC-40. The last one was in actuality even with several weather delays an 11 day L2L. A 10 day for them is a more reasonable time for L2L and is not likely to represent any problems other than for the #1 item being weather and now the #2 item being an understanding and possible inspections or corrections due to 1059 landing failure.

[Raul]

Mission was postponed to NET 08 March, alternatively 09 March, based on NOTAM update in MELBOURNE information region for Stage2 reentry.

MELBOURNE (FIR/FIC/ACC/COM/MET)
NOTAM #: F0589/21      Class: International      Status: Active      Issue Date UTC: 02/19/2021 2027      Start Date UTC: 03/08/2021 0445      End Date UTC: 03/09/2021 0701
F0589/21 NOTAMR F0548/21
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/4946S11913E999
A) YMMM
B) 2103080445 C) 2103090701
D) 2103080445 TO 2103080722
   2103090424 TO 2103090701
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 LAUNCH VEHICLE OP  X0561 FALCON-9 STARLINK V1.0-L20
STAGE 2 REENTRY WI THE FOLLOWING AREA:
FROM 2943S   06007E
TO 2455S   06427E
TO 3845S   08430E
TO 4512S   09945E
TO 4946S   11913E
TO 5042S   13819E
TO 4850S   15644E
TO 5146S   15808E
TO 5442S   14832E
TO 5620S   13103E
TO 5552S   10750E
TO 4911S   08505E
TO 3432S   06413E TO BEGINNING
F) SFC G) UNL

[zubenelgenubi]

Following this:

Active NOTAM in MELBOURNE information region for Stage2 reentry of Starlink_v1.0-L20 mission with primary date planned NET February 25 in window between 09:33-10:30 UTC, backup dates February 26 to March 01.
Reentry area south of Australia is typical for flight profile with double S2 burn and circular deploying orbit.
<snip>

We now have this:

Mission was postponed to NET 08 March [0445 to 0722 UTC], alternatively 09 March [0424 to 0701 UTC], based on NOTAM update in MELBOURNE information region for Stage2 reentry.
<snip>

Also, March 8 is 11 days later than February 25.  Given the launch time is 20-22 minutes earlier each day for this inclination of Starlink launch, the launch time is roughly 4 hours earlier.
March 8, ~03:30 UTC = March 7, ~22:30 EST.

Or, one can use the calculation method here.
***

Edit/Also:
First stage will be 1058.6.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/raul74cz/status/1363161576392515584

Launch Hazard Areas for #Starlink v1.0-L20 mission NET 08 March ~03:40 UTC, altern. 09 March. Identical areas to previous mission, with B1058.6 landing on usual location 634km downrange and S2 reentry south of Australia - double S2 burn launch profile. bit.do/LHA13

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post; my bold:

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

FALCON 9
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral will launch the twentieth Starlink batch from pad 39A on February 28 earliest, at 8:37pm EST. The launch time for Starlink missions gets approx. 20-22 minutes earlier each day. A Falcon 9 will launch the twenty-first Starlink batch from pad 40 on March 7 earliest, around 10pm. Upcoming launches include additional Starlink missions on TBD. The next Crew Dragon carrying four astronauts to the International Space Station is targeted for April 20, around 5 or 6am EDT.

[zubenelgenubi]

Launch time clarification:

SFN Launch Schedule, dated February 23:

March 7/8 • Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L20
Launch time: 0341 GMT on 8th (10:41 p.m. EST on 7th)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida

***

State of play on the Space Coast for the immediate future:

2021 Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

March 11 February or March very late February NET 25 March 8 9 10 - Starlink flight 21 (x60) [v1.0 L20] - Falcon 9-110 (1051.9 or 1058.6 S) - Canaveral SLC-40 - 08:13 ~07:30 ~03:30 ~03:40 03:41 ~03:20 03:20 02:58
(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)

March 14 mid 13 - Starlink flight 22 (x60) [v1.0 L21] - Falcon 9-111 (1051.9? S) - Kennedy LC-39A / Canaveral SLC-40 - 09:44 10:06
(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)

NET late March - Starlink flight 23 (x60)  [v1.0 L22] - Falcon 9-112 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A
(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)

NET very late March or April? - Starlink flight 24 (x60)  [v1.0 L23] - Falcon 9-113 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A?
(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)

NET April 22 NET 20 late - USCV-2: Dragon v2 Crew 2 - Falcon 9 (B1061.2 S) - Kennedy LC-39A - 10:11 09:00-10:00 09:00-10:30 ~10:00
(ISS flights: launch 22-26 minutes earlier/day)

NET Late April? Q2 - Starlink flight 25 (x60) [v1.0 L24] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A?
(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)

NET May NET April 2 (TBD) - CST-100 Starliner (unmanned test) (Boe-OFT 2) - Atlas V N22 (AV-082) - Canaveral SLC-41 - TBD ~18:00
(ISS flights: launch 22-26 minutes earlier/day)

Changes on January 25th
Changes on February 16th
Changes on February 19th
Changes on February 20th
Changes on February 23rd
Changes on March 1st
Changes on March 2nd
Changes on March 3rd
Changes on March 4th
Changes on March 5th
Changes on March 9th
Changes on March 10th
zubenelgenubi

[Raul]

Updated NOTMARs Launch Hazard Areas with map update screenshot. Launch NET 8 Mar 3:41 UTC. Alternatively 9 to 15 Mar.

031008Z MAR 21
NAVAREA IV 189/21(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   080236Z TO 080534Z MAR, ALTERNATE
   090215Z TO 090513Z, 100153Z TO 100451Z,
   110132Z TO 110430Z, 120110Z TO 120408Z,
   130049Z TO 130347Z, 140027Z TO 140325Z
   AND 150005Z TO 150303Z MAR
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-38-55N 080-37-38W, 29-22-00N 079-48-00W,
      29-15-00N 079-38-00W, 28-35-00N 080-19-00W,
      28-30-59N 080-33-16W.
   B. 31-44-00N 077-14-00W, 33-17-00N 076-03-00W,
      33-31-00N 074-59-00W, 33-10-00N 074-36-00W,
      32-27-00N 074-46-00W, 31-25-00N 076-56-00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 150403Z MAR 21.

030950Z MAR 21
HYDROPAC 698/21(GEN).
SOUTHERN INDIAN OCEAN.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   080445Z TO 080722Z MAR, ALTERNATE
   090424Z TO 090701Z, 100402Z TO 100639Z,
   110341Z TO 110618Z, 120319Z TO 120556Z,
   130258Z TO 130535Z, 140236Z TO 140513Z
   AND 150214Z TO 150451Z MAR
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   29-43S 060-07E, 24-55S 064-27E,
   38-45S 084-30E, 45-12S 099-45E,
   49-46S 119-13E, 50-42S 138-19E,
   48-50S 156-44E, 51-46S 158-08E,
   54-42S 148-32E, 56-20S 131-03E,
   55-52S 107-50E, 49-11S 085-05E,
   34-32S 064-13E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 150551Z MAR 21

[zubenelgenubi]

This is now the next Falcon 9 launch.
I wonder when the LV will be erected at the pad?

[wannamoonbase]

This is now the next Falcon 9 launch.
I wonder when the LV will be erected at the pad?

Static Fire or not to Static fire?

With the recent loss of booster 1059 I'd bet they do Static Fires on all vehicles for sometime.

[zubenelgenubi: Dedicated thread for Static Fire updates and discussion here.]