Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 4-1 : SLC-40 : November 13, 2021 (12:19 UTC)  (Read 76514 times)

Offline Josh_from_Canada

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What stays 4-1 for?  What does it mean?

I think it's mentioning the type of Starlink constellation these sats belong to (Group 4). In this case, it's the 53.2-degree orbit.

The Group 2 (launched before Inspiration4) refers to the 70-degree polar orbit.
I'm thinking the Groups refer to this:
Group 1 - 550 km at 53.0°
Group 2 - 570 km at 70.0°
Group 3 - 560 km at 97.6°
Group 4 - 540 km at 53.2°
Launches Seen: Atlas V OA-7, Falcon 9 Starlink 6-4, Falcon 9 CRS-28,

Offline Rondaz

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It's busy out in the Atlantic Ocean!

(Which is good Grinning face with smiling eyes)

Back-to-back missions coming up.

https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1458187173199597572

Offline Conexion Espacial

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The Falcon 9 is expected to reach the launch pad sometime today or before noon tomorrow.
A NASA photo from a few minutes ago shows that the rocket has not been brought to the LC-40 launch pad for the Starlink mission.
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Offline russianhalo117

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The Falcon 9 is expected to reach the launch pad sometime today or before noon tomorrow.
A NASA photo from a few minutes ago shows that the rocket has not been brought to the LC-40 launch pad for the Starlink mission.
Unless a still from live video nasa photo releases are frequently behind the timeline to be relevant.

Offline vaporcobra

EXIF data shows it was taken a few hours ago. https://images.nasa.gov/details-NHQ202111090009

Online zubenelgenubi

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Cross-post.

Is JRTI returning to port?

If so, this Starlink launch will be delayed until either of the East Coast ASDS are available.

It might also explain why 1062.4 has (apparently) not been transported to the pad?

Currently, NSF Fleetcam is not pointing to either LC-39A or SLC-40.

[Edit re: vaporcobra: Perhaps a few days' launch delay for ship's crew relief?]

Some highlights from the Crew-3 Delta LRR Press Conference:
<snip>
- According to Bill Gerstenmaier, SpaceX is switching the recovery drone ship for Crew-3 launch from JRTI to ASOG, due to the fact that JRTI was "beat up" a bit by the weather in the Atlantic while waiting for the launch; ASOG will arrive on station around 6 hours before launch (IIRC)
<snip>

[I edited this while vaporcobra responded.]
« Last Edit: 11/10/2021 04:52 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline vaporcobra

Cross-post; any effect on this launch's ASDS recovery?
Some highlights from the Crew-3 Delta LRR Press Conference:
<snip>
- According to Bill Gerstenmaier, SpaceX is switching the recovery drone ship for Crew-3 launch from JRTI to ASOG, due to the fact that JRTI was "beat up" a bit by the weather in the Atlantic while waiting for the launch; ASOG will arrive on station around 6 hours before launch (IIRC)
<snip>

Later comments from Gerst implied that it was more a crew-needs-a-break situation and that it would take longer to tow JRTI back into place than it would for ASOG to switch spots. No mention of the seemingly imminent Starlink launch was a bit odd but I got the feeling that JRTI isn't actually damaged and is still good to go if Starlink 4-1 needs it.

Offline Ken the Bin

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L-2 weather forecast: Friday is 60% 'Go'.  Saturday is 80% 'Go'.  All Additional Risk Criteria are Low except the Booster Recovery Weather for Friday which is Moderate.

Note that the validity period of 12 Nov 2021 / 0701 - 0801L (12/1201 - 1301Z) has not shifted for a 12:40 UTC launch time.

Offline ZachS09

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Why only 53 satellites for this launch?
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Offline scr00chy

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Why only 53 satellites for this launch?

The v1.5 sats are probably heavier due to the added laser interlinks.

Offline wannamoonbase

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Why only 53 satellites for this launch?

The v1.5 sats are probably heavier due to the added laser interlinks.

That would be my bet.  I think the V1.0 birds were going to be the lightest.  Just get up and running.

With Shell 1 done they can add the lasers and maybe other capabilities (capacity)
Starship, Vulcan and Ariane 6 have all reached orbit.  New Glenn, well we are waiting!

Offline ZachS09

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Why only 53 satellites for this launch?

The v1.5 sats are probably heavier due to the added laser interlinks.

How much heavier? The v1.0 sats were 260 kg each.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Offline vaporcobra

Why only 53 satellites for this launch?

The v1.5 sats are probably heavier due to the added laser interlinks.

And likely 53 instead of 51 on 2-1 because of the ~5% efficiency gain from launching with Earth's rotation. Also, assuming that SpaceX is still maximizing its utilization of F9 performance to LEO, it helps us baseline Starlink V1.5 mass around 290 kg per satellite - ~15% heavier than V1.0. ~10 kg per laser terminal (I believe there are three per sat) seems reasonable.

Offline Conexion Espacial

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Falcon 9 vertical on the launch pad

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Offline gongora

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Falcon 9 vertical on the launch pad

Could you please give the source for the picture?

Offline scr00chy

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Offline wannamoonbase

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What’s wrong with me that I’m more interested in this Starlink launch than I am in Crew 3?

I think it’s the over production of NASA flights. 

I like SpaceX’s coverage without the 3 hrs of build up. 

Fingers crossed this flight is the start of that fast pace we had in the first half of the year.
Starship, Vulcan and Ariane 6 have all reached orbit.  New Glenn, well we are waiting!

Offline RocketLover0119

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Per the Crew-3 webcast, the vehicle for this mission will be doing a static fire tomorrow.
"The Starship has landed"

Offline alugobi

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I'm with you.  The celebritization of peeps who ride in a craft that flies itself has gone over the top into something approaching satire.  NASA is trying so hard to drum up interest that they might be driving people away. 

More Starlink, please.

Offline vaporcobra

What’s wrong with me that I’m more interested in this Starlink launch than I am in Crew 3?

I think it’s the over production of NASA flights. 

A 4K stream (rather than 720p) doesn't hurt either lol.

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