SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L10, Rideshare : August 18, 2020

[gongora]

Thread for Starlink v1.0 Flight 10.  This might be a rideshare mission.

Check the Starlink Index Thread for links to more Starlink information.

NSF Threads for Starlink v1.0 Flight 10: Discussion

NSF News Articles for Starlink:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/?s=Starlink

Successful launch August 18, 2020 at 10:31am EDT (14:31 UTC) on Falcon 9 (booster 1049.6) from SLC-40.  ASDS landing on OCISLY was successful.  Fairing was reused.  Ms. Tree caught one fairing half in the net, Ms. Chief retrieved the other fairing half from the water.  Deployment orbit was approximately 207 x 370 km, 53 degree inclination.

Payload: 58 Starlink satellites, and three SkySat rideshare satellites (SkySats 19-21).

Please use the Starlink Discussion Thread for all general discussion on Starlink.

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 in the Northern U.S. and Canada in 2020, rapidly expanding to near global coverage of the populated world by 2021. Additional information on the system can be found at starlink.com.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post re: the three SkySats:

SkySat-19,20,21 launch in July 2020 writes Planet.

Today we are announcing a new rapid revisit capability that empowers our customers to capture imagery of a single location on Earth up to 12 times per day.

This new capability will be enabled by two upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 launches that will deliver six new SkySats into space. The first three are scheduled for launch in the coming weeks, and the next three in July. The six SkySats will be placed into orbit planes inclined at 53 degrees, and will double the average revisits over any point on Earth.

https://www.planet.com/pulse/12x-rapid-revisit-announcement/

Note the release doesn't specify which Starlink launch in July.

[wannamoonbase]

Cross-post re: the three SkySats:

SkySat-19,20,21 launch in July 2020 writes Planet.

Today we are announcing a new rapid revisit capability that empowers our customers to capture imagery of a single location on Earth up to 12 times per day.

This new capability will be enabled by two upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 launches that will deliver six new SkySats into space. The first three are scheduled for launch in the coming weeks, and the next three in July. The six SkySats will be placed into orbit planes inclined at 53 degrees, and will double the average revisits over any point on Earth.

https://www.planet.com/pulse/12x-rapid-revisit-announcement/

Note the release doesn't specify which Starlink launch in July.

The eastern range is going to be very busy from 6/30 to early August.
GPS on 6/30 - SLC40
Mars 2020 7/20 - SLC41
Anasis - July sometime - LC39A
SiriusXM - Early August

Mars 2020 will cast a long shadow, fitting in 2 launches for Starlink is possible but spaceX will have to maintain a cadence of a launch every 7 days from 6/23 for 6 launches.

[anof]

Cross-post re: the three SkySats:

SkySat-19,20,21 launch in July 2020 writes Planet.

Today we are announcing a new rapid revisit capability that empowers our customers to capture imagery of a single location on Earth up to 12 times per day.

This new capability will be enabled by two upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 launches that will deliver six new SkySats into space. The first three are scheduled for launch in the coming weeks, and the next three in July. The six SkySats will be placed into orbit planes inclined at 53 degrees, and will double the average revisits over any point on Earth.

https://www.planet.com/pulse/12x-rapid-revisit-announcement/

Note the release doesn't specify which Starlink launch in July.

The eastern range is going to be very busy from 6/30 to early August.
GPS on 6/30 - SLC40
Mars 2020 7/20 - SLC41
Anasis - July sometime - LC39A
SiriusXM - Early August

Mars 2020 will cast a long shadow, fitting in 2 launches for Starlink is possible but spaceX will have to maintain a cadence of a launch every 7 days from 6/23 for 6 launches.

Do we know if the SXM satellite has been shipped? That launch might move some and give room for another Starlink launch.

[gongora]

The SXM sats are built in the US so they're harder to track (for foreign built sats you just watch for flights of Antonov-124 planes).  We won't know when it ships unless the companies say something about it.  I'm guessing if SXM-7 flies in August it will use either the second flight of 1060 or third flight of 1058.

Flight order in the near future might depend a lot on when boosters are ready to fly?  Most flights are going up on refurbished boosters, and the boosters with lower numbers of flights will probably be used for external customers.  Many payloads are also still having some COVID-19 related delays.

[Jakusb]

The SXM sats are built in the US so they're harder to track (for foreign built sats you just watch for flights of Antonov-124 planes).  We won't know when it ships unless the companies say something about it.  I'm guessing if SXM-7 flies in August it will use either the second flight of 1060 or third flight of 1058.

Flight order in the near future might depend a lot on when boosters are ready to fly?  Most flights are going up on refurbished boosters, and the boosters with lower numbers of flights will probably be used for external customers.  Many payloads are also still having some COVID-19 related delays.

The “newer cores for customers” was already a bit broken by Starlink on a third flight.
Although I would not expect a Starlink on a brand new or second flight.
There are not many boosters around and rapid reuse seems the only true option to get the cadence up. Or even maintain it.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html

FALCON 9
And a Falcon 9 will launch the tenth batch of Starlink internet satellites on late July at the earliest.

[AndrewRG10]

Cross-post:

http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html

FALCON 9
And a Falcon 9 will launch the tenth batch of Starlink internet satellites on late July at the earliest.

I'm gonna guess that's strained by B1049.6 turn around. Launching in July in itself would be a record turnaround, launching in mid July would be a world record.

[TorenAltair]

They also need other assets (though I think booster availability might be an issue as well): drone ship (upgrading OCISLY?), launch pad and range (GPS June 30, ANASIS II July 13, Atlas Mars 2020 July 17) and upper stage. Especially the Mars mission might block the range several days, so SpaceX might use that time to do maintenance and upgrades anyway.

[zubenelgenubi]

With Perseverance's launch delayed to NET July 30, maybe this launch (or SAOCOM 1B) will be squeezed in before, rather than after the Atlas V takes the range?

My guess would be the Starlink flight.  Starlink is an "internal" customer (SpaceX launching SpaceX s/c), so there's more flexibility?  There is uncertainty about when the Argentinean launch campaign team will be able to travel to Florida for SAOCOM 1B (source 2, same thread).

EDIT/ADD: SAOCOM 1B and support equipment arrived in Florida February 22.

My speculation re: launch cadence at Cape Canaveral and KSC:

Landing on (L)and or drone(S)hip
Scheduled:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

2020
NET  June 26 Early July 8 - Starlink flight 10 (x57) [v1.0 L9], BlackSky Global 5, BlackSky Global 6 - Falcon 9 (B1051.5 S) - Kennedy LC-39A ~16:15
July  13 14 - Anasis II (KMilSatCom 1, KMSC-1, URC-700K) - Falcon 9 (B1058.2) - Canaveral SLC-40  Kennedy LC-39A
NET Late July - Starlink flight 11 (x58) [v1.0 L10], SkySat 19, SkySat 20, SkySat 21 - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40
July 22 30 - Mars Perseverance rover (MSL-2), Ingenuity (MHS), MMO, CubeSats - Atlas V 541 (AV-088) - Canaveral SLC-41 - 11:50-13:50
August 2 - SiriusXM SXM-7 - Falcon 9 - Canaveral SLC-40 - 04:27:00 (would give way for Perseverance--planetary launch window trumps all)
August 26 - NROL-44: Orion 10 (Mentor 8 ) (TBD) - Delta IV-H [D-385] - Canaveral SLC-37B
NET August - Starlink flight 12 (x60) [v1.0 L11] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40
NET August - Starlink flight 13 (x60) [v1.0 L12] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40
NET Late July August? NET September? - SAOCOM-1B, Smallsat Rideshare Mission 1 (SSO): Capella 2 (Sequoia), GNOMES-1 - Falcon 9 (L) - Canaveral SLC-40 - 23:21

Changes on June 26th
Changes on June 30th
zubenelgenubi June 30
Changes on July 1st
zubenelgenubi July 1

[smoliarm]

... There is uncertainty about when the Argentinean launch campaign team will be able to travel to Florida for SAOCOM 1B.

I'm afraid, if SAOCOM 1B did not arrive at Cape so far, there is not enough prep time for this launch to be squeezed in before Mars 2020.

SpaceX User's Guide says the spacecraft should be on site 30 days prior to launch.

[zubenelgenubi]

I'm afraid, if SAOCOM 1B did not arrive at Cape so far, there is not enough prep time for this launch to be squeezed in before Mars 2020.

SpaceX User's Guide says the spacecraft should be on site 30 days prior to launch.

Satellite and support equipment delivered to Florida on February 22.  I added this and the link to my post above.

[baldusi]

I'm afraid, if SAOCOM 1B did not arrive at Cape so far, there is not enough prep time for this launch to be squeezed in before Mars 2020.

SpaceX User's Guide says the spacecraft should be on site 30 days prior to launch.

Satellite and support equipment delivered to Florida on February 22.  I added this and the link to my post above.

We went back to the stringent quarantine level. No personnel will be allowed to travel at least for a month.

[Norm38]

I wonder if this flight will get 1049.6?  From the manifest, looks like SpaceX could have a five booster pitching rotation set up.

[gongora]

I wonder if this flight will get 1049.6?  From the manifest, looks like SpaceX could have a five booster pitching rotation set up.

That's my guess.

[Jakusb]

I wonder if this flight will get 1049.6?  From the manifest, looks like SpaceX could have a five booster pitching rotation set up.

That's my guess.

My money is L10 on 1059-4.
L11 on 1049-6

[gongora]

If SAOCOM 1B is really aiming for late July then that's my guess for 1059's next flight.

[Jakusb]

If SAOCOM 1B is really aiming for late July then that's my guess for 1059's next flight.

Why not fly that one on 1060-2?
And prove rapid turnaround?

1060 is the latest booster version, and they already proven to speed up recovery to horizontal. Why not push it also from horizontal to second launch without further serious inspections? At some point they should have enough data to eliminate inspections at places that do not require inspection after first flight.
Elon clearly stated to want a turnaround on the scale of days instead of weeks.

[wannamoonbase]

I wonder if this flight will get 1049.6?  From the manifest, looks like SpaceX could have a five booster pitching rotation set up.

That's my guess.

My money is L10 on 1059-4.
L11 on 1049-6

Seems like they could recycle 39A to be ready for July 18th or at least before SAOCOM on the 25th.  After that it gets hard to fit one in before Mars 2020 on the 20th.

[Nehkara]

I wonder if this flight will get 1049.6?  From the manifest, looks like SpaceX could have a five booster pitching rotation set up.

That's my guess.

My money is L10 on 1059-4.
L11 on 1049-6

Seems like they could recycle 39A to be ready for July 18th or at least before SAOCOM on the 25th.  After that it gets hard to fit one in before Mars 2020 on the 20th.

Mars 2020 is the 30th now.

[wannamoonbase]

I wonder if this flight will get 1049.6?  From the manifest, looks like SpaceX could have a five booster pitching rotation set up.

That's my guess.

My money is L10 on 1059-4.
L11 on 1049-6

Seems like they could recycle 39A to be ready for July 18th or at least before SAOCOM on the 25th.  After that it gets hard to fit one in before Mars 2020 on the 20th.

Mars 2020 is the 30th now.

Oops, I knew that, even looked it up and typed the old date.  It's my shame, I'll see myself to the penalty box now

[zubenelgenubi]

Belated cross-post; my bold:

http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html

FALCON 9

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral will launch the ninth batch of Starlink satellites from pad 39A on July TBA at about 8 or 9am EDT. And a Falcon 9 will launch the ANASIS-II Korean military communication satellite from pad 40 on July TBA, at 5:00pm EDT. The launch window stretches to 8:55pm EDT. Then, a Falcon 9 will launch the SAOCOM 1B Earth observation satellite for Argentina, the first polar-orbit mission from the Cape since 1960 on late July or early August TBA, around 7:19pm EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Then, a Falcon 9 will launch the eleventh batch of Starlink internet satellites on August TBA. Other upcoming launches include the next few batches of Starlink internet satellites in August TBA. And a Falcon 9 will launch the second Crew Dragon mission, sending four astronauts to the International Space Station on September TBA.

[Elthiryel]

According to Next Spaceflight, booster 1049.6 is going to be used for this mission. Another reusability milestone, sixth flight of a Falcon 9 booster!

Previous missions:
September 2018 - Telstar 18 VANTAGE
January 2019 - Iridium-8
May 2019 - Starlink-1 (V0.9)
January 2020 - Starlink-3 (V1.0 L2)
June 2020 - Starlink-8 (V1.0 L7)

Source: https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2575

[zubenelgenubi]

Perseverance launched successfully on July 30.

Assuming Starlink v1.0 Flight 9 launches successfully on August 6, how soon can Starlink v1.0 Flight 10 launch, also from LC-39A?

Could we see more than one Starlink launch in August?

(Items to consider: NROL-44 and SAOCOM-1B launches are not until late August.  Booster refurbishment turn-around.  Two barges available for sea recovery.  RTLS for SAOCOM-1B booster recovery, instead of barge landing at sea.  Etc.)

Scheduled:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

2020
  July    29   31   August    1   6  - Starlink flight 10 (x57) [v1.0 L9], SXRS-1: BlackSky Global 5, BlackSky Global 6 - Falcon 9-090 (B1051.5 S) - Kennedy LC-39A - 05:33
August - Starlink flight 11 (x58) [v1.0 L10], SkySat 19, SkySat 20, SkySat 21 - Falcon 9-092 (S) - Kennedy LC-39A
August 26 - NROL-44: Orion 10 (Mentor 8 ) (TBD) - Delta IV-H [D-385] - Canaveral SLC-37B
Late August  - SAOCOM-1B, Capella 2 (Sequoia), GNOMES-1 - Falcon 9-091 (L) - Canaveral SLC-40 - 23:19  (or NET Late July)
NET August - Starlink flight 12 (x60) [v1.0 L11] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A
NET August - Starlink flight 13 (x60) [v1.0 L12] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A

Changes on July 24th
Changes on July 26th
Changes on July 28th

[gongora]

Starlink launches can go from either pad.  If they want to do it ASAP then it would go from SLC-40.

[zubenelgenubi]

Starlink v1.0 Flight 9 launched August 7 UTC: This could now be the next SpaceX orbital launch.

Questions awaiting data for answers:
Will this be the next launch?
Will it launch from SLC-40, or remain assigned to LC-39A?
Which first stage will be used?

EDITED August 7

Scheduled:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

2020
mid August - Starlink flight 11 (x58) [v1.0 L10], SkySat 19, SkySat 20, SkySat 21 - Falcon 9-092 (B1049.6 S) - Kennedy LC-39A Canaveral SLC-40
August 26 - NROL-44: Orion 10 (Mentor 8 ) (TBD) - Delta IV-H [D-385] - Canaveral SLC-37B - 05:50-10:25
Late end of August  - SAOCOM-1B, Capella 2 (Sequoia), GNOMES-1 - Falcon 9-091 (B1059.4 L) - Canaveral SLC-40 - 23:19
NET August - Starlink flight 12 (x60) [v1.0 L11] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A
NET August - Starlink flight 13 (x60) [v1.0 L12] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A

Changes on August 6th
zubenelgenubi August 7

***

EDIT ADD August 10: Static Fire or no Static Fire?

[Comga]

This could now be the next SpaceX orbital launch.
Questions awaiting data for answers:
Will this be the next launch?
Will it launch from SLC-40, or remain assigned to LC-39A?
Which first stage will be used?

Scheduled:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

2020
August - Starlink flight 11 (x58) [v1.0 L10], SkySat 19, SkySat 20, SkySat 21 - Falcon 9-092 (S) - Kennedy LC-39A
August 26 - NROL-44: Orion 10 (Mentor 8 ) (TBD) - Delta IV-H [D-385] - Canaveral SLC-37B - 05:50-10:25
Late August  - SAOCOM-1B, Capella 2 (Sequoia), GNOMES-1 - Falcon 9-091 (L) - Canaveral SLC-40 - 23:19
NET August - Starlink flight 12 (x60) [v1.0 L11] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A
NET August - Starlink flight 13 (x60) [v1.0 L12] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A

Given that “our” SpaceX manifest has the SAOCOM 1B launch as “late August” listed next after Starlink V1L10 this is as good a bet as we have.

[smoliarm]

This could now be the next SpaceX orbital launch.
Questions awaiting data for answers:
Will this be the next launch?
Will it launch from SLC-40, or remain assigned to LC-39A?
Which first stage will be used?

...

OK, Ben Cooper already has some answers:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral will launch the next batch of Starlink internet satellites from pad 40 on mid August TBA.

and the next:

A Falcon 9 will launch the SAOCOM 1B Earth observation satellite for Argentina, the first polar-orbit mission from the Cape since 1960, from pad 40 on end of August at the earliest

[Raul]

NOTAM in Tahiti oceanic area for next Starlink's Stage2 Reentry NET Aug 18 15:47-16:15 UTC, alternatively Aug 19 15:25-15:53 UTC.

TAHITI OCA
NOTAM #: A0412/20      Class: International      Start Date UTC: 08/18/2020 1547      End Date UTC: 08/19/2020 1553      Status: Active
A0412/20 NOTAMN
Q) NTTT/QRPCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/1315S13830W999
A) NTTT
B) 2008181547 C) 2008191553
D) AUG 18 1547-1615
AUG 19 1525-1553
E) PROHIBITED AREA
-AIRSPACE DEBRIS RE-ENTRY IN TAHITI FIR
 WITHIN AN AREA BOUNDED BY FOLLOWING POINTS:
 1621S13747W 0914S13453W 0102N12755W 0957N12133W
 1619N11448W 1516N11301W 0744N11614W 0147S12206W
 1025S12755W 1748S13531W TO POINT OF ORIGIN.
-THIS AREA IS PROHIBITED DURING ACTIVITY.
-THE FOLLOWING ROUTE SEGMENTS ARE FORBIDDEN:
 UN789 INVID-EKETI, G594 TIERE-TIAMU.
F) SFC G) UNL 

Launch Hazard Areas visualization

[Elthiryel]

According to Ben Cooper, the launch is planned for August 18 around 10 AM EDT.

http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html

According to SFN Launch Schedule, it is planned for August 18 around 10:30 AM EDT.

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

EDIT: Next Spaceflight has an updated launch time of 10:31 AM EDT.

[zubenelgenubi]

Mini-schedule update:

Scheduled:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

2020
  Mid-   August 18 - Starlink flight 11 (x58) [v1.0 L10], SkySat 19, SkySat 20, SkySat 21 - Falcon 9-091 (B1049.6 S) - Canaveral SLC-40  Kennedy LC-39A - 14:31
August 26 - NROL-44: Orion 10 (Mentor 8 ) (TBD) - Delta IV-H [D-385] - Canaveral SLC-37B - 05:50-10:25
Late August - SAOCOM-1B, Capella 2 (Sequoia), GNOMES-1 - Falcon 9-092 (B1059.4 L) - Canaveral SLC-40 - 23:19
NET August  September - Starlink flight 12 (x60) [v1.0 L11] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A
NET August  September - Starlink flight 13 (x60) [v1.0 L12] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A

Changes on August 8th
Changes on August 11th
zubenelgenubi August 13

[Elthiryel]

New NOTMARs confirm that the launch is planned for August 18 at 10:31 AM EDT.

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/lnms/lnm07322020.pdf

ATLANTIC OCEAN - FLORIDA - CAPE CANAVERAL
Eastern Range OP# X0176 FALCON 9 Starlink v1.0-L10 will be conducting hazardous operations surface to unlimited within portions of Warning Areas W497A, W497B, W137F/G, W138E, W139E/F, W122 and the following Hazard Areas:

A: From 2837 30.44N 8036 31.78W
TO 2851N 8024W
TO 2914N 7955W
TO 2912N 7952W
TO 2838N 8023W
TO 2830 06.87N 8032 51.42W to beginning

B: From 3139N 7720W
TO 3315N 7557W
TO 3340N 7459W
TO 3321N 7425W
TO 3245N 7432W
TO 3125N 7706W to beginning

Hazard periods for primary launch day and backup launch days;
Primary launch day: 18/1421Z thru 18/1529Z Aug 20 (10:21 am thru 11:29 am local). Preferred T-0 is 1431Z (10:31 am local).
Backup launch day: 19/1359Z thru 19/1507Z Aug 20 (9:59 am thru 11:07 am local). Preferred T-0 is 1409Z (10:09 am local).

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/uslaunchreport/status/1293927450087436288

Launch Hazard Areas of #Starlink v1.0-L10 from SLC-40 planned for Aug 18 14:31 UTC, alternatively Aug 19 14:09 UTC. Droneship landing 634km downrange for booster 1049.6. Stage2 deorbit on the first orbit with debris reentry in Eastern Pacific. bit.do/LHA11

[gongora]

SkySats 19-21 To Launch On SpaceX Falcon 9 Rideshare Mission
Mike Safyan | August 14, 2020

Planet is set to launch three more new SkySats (SkySats 19-21) into Low Earth Orbit on August 18th (date subject to change), rounding out the fleet of SkySats already in operations and joining SkySats 16-18 that successfully launched aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 in June.

Planet SkySats 1-15 operate in Sun Synchronous Orbits, a specific type of Low Earth Orbit that results in the Earth’s surface always being illuminated by the Sun at the same angle when the satellite is capturing imagery. Half of the SkySats currently pass overhead in a morning crossing plane, while the other half moves in an afternoon crossing plane, so together they provide the twice-daily coverage of anywhere on Earth.

Both sets of new SkySats, 16-18 and 19-21, will operate in a “mid-inclination” orbit of 53 degrees that complements the sun synchronous fleet, and will offer more targeted coverage and imaging capacity in the latitude bands between +53 degrees and -53 degrees where the majority of human activity occurs. By taking advantage of SpaceX’s rideshare program, we were able to get these satellites launched much faster compared to a dedicated launch. In addition, by splitting the payload across two launches, we’re able to phase the mid-inclination SkySats into their respective planes much faster as well, all of which results in Planet’s customers benefiting from these enhanced products much sooner than any other provider can offer.

SkySats 19-21 will be launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9, a two-stage reusable rocket that has successfully flown satellites and cargo over 80 times to orbit. They will do so as rideshare payloads on SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, and will launch from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida.

The rapid launch of SkySats 16-21, as well as the development of our enhanced 50 cm imagery, are just a few examples of how Planet continues to push the envelope to provide industry-leading geospatial offerings that continuously improve over time.

Photo: Planet SkySats 19-21 mounted on the Starlink launch adapter, ready for flight. Image provided by SpaceX.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Airspace closure and launch hazard areas

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1294344173810847745

Departure! Of Course I Still Love You droneship is heading ~634 km downrange to the Starlink LZ! Next launch NET August 18th, 10:31am EDT.

Photo captured by the WKMG-TV Canaveral webcam. ClickOrlando.com

[Zed_Noir]

Since there have to be wiring connections to the rideshare payloads. Have anyone suggest to SpaceX to put a Go-Pro camera on the ridershare adapter plate to imaged the deployment of the rideshare payloads? Or are we constrained by the antiqued NOAA imaging rules for orbital vehicles.

[gongora]

Since there have to be wiring connections to the rideshare payloads. Have anyone suggest to SpaceX to put a Go-Pro camera on the ridershare adapter plate to imaged the deployment of the rideshare payloads? Or are we constrained by the antiqued NOAA imaging rules for orbital vehicles.

It would be no different from a NOAA perspective than what SpaceX is already doing.  It's extra setup/wiring/complexity for a limited number of missions and provides nothing towards mission success, so probably not a high priority.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

L-3 launch weather forecast is 70% GO

[JoerTex]

Any sign of a test fire?  Any eyes-on?

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1294839649580523521

So long.
Farewell.
Go out and catch a fairing.
We might.
Just try.
Don't let it get away...
#Starlink

[FutureSpaceTourist]

L-2 launch weather forecast still 70% GO

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1295105971321294852

Starlink: Of Course I Still Love You droneship has arrived at the landing zone!

Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief are powering forward, having left just before midnight last night.

GO Quest is trailing behind, having departed after the rest of the fleet at about 1:30am ET today.

[zubenelgenubi]

Any sign of a test fire?  Any eyes-on?

https://twitter.com/spacecoast_stve/status/1295218259403431937

And there she is.
Falcon 9 B1049 is set to carry out its 6th mission, and become the first booster to do so. Static fire will take place sometime tomorrow [Monday, August 17], and if all looks good, launch will be at 10:31am EDT (14:31 UTC) on Tuesday.

[SMS]

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1295300183283191809

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1295301917191671808

[SMS]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1295316943134547968

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1295317183900205057

[SMS]

L-1 launch weather forecast up 80% GO

[Elthiryel]

SpaceX has updated the launches web page and posted the webcast link.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/



I have also attached my fan-made "press kit".

[scr00chy]

Visual mission profile attached.

Also, Starlink v1-3 fairings (January 2020) are being reused on this launch, according to SpaceX.

[Elthiryel]

According to Spaceflight Now, the exact launch time is 10:31:16 a.m. EDT (1431:16 GMT).

Source: https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/08/17/more-starlinks-and-skysats-ready-for-launch-tuesday-from-cape-canaveral/

[Chris Bergin]

Mission overview:

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/08/spacex-break-record-sixth-flight/

- By Thomas Burghardt.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1295574027168362496

[kdhilliard]

This year will see a lot of "100th" milestones for SpaceX.

Today's mission (Starlink v1.0 L10, Rideshare : August 18, 2020) will mark the 100th launch of a 9-engine Falcon core (Mission 91 on our manifest, including 2015-06-28's CRS-7 inflight failure, minus 1 for 2016-09-01's AMOS-6 which "went up" (in flames) but didn't launch, plus 1 for 2020-01-19's In-Flight Abort Test, plus 3 x three Falcon Heavy flights.).

And it will be the 40th launch of a "flight proven" booster.

If B1049.6 is successfully recovered, it will mark the 58th booster landing and the 57th recovery.  (The center core from 2019-04-11's Arabsat 6A fell over while being towed back to port.)

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/ken_kremer/status/1295671127868571649

Predawn pics of #Spacex Falcon 9 moments ago poised for liftoff at 1031 AM ET on 11th Starlink mission from pad 40 CCSFS

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1295659822432559104

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1295673853834866688

Falcon 9 is poised to launch the eleventh Starlink mission at 10:31 A.M. EDT today. Three Planet earth observation satellites are also hitching a ride to space.

This launch also marks the sixth flight for this particular Falcon booster, a new record!

📷: Me for @SuperclusterHQ

twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1295684494142341126

Reused booster ☑️

⚙️/⬇️/🖼: tmahlmann.com/photos/Rockets…

http://Https://twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1295684495912443905

Reused landing legs☑️

⚙️/⬇️/🖼: tmahlmann.com/photos/Rockets…

twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1295684497762115584

Reused fairing ☑️

⚙️/⬇️/🖼: tmahlmann.com/photos/Rockets…

https://twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1295684499431403525

Close up of reused fairing ☑️

⚙️/⬇️/🖼: tmahlmann.com/photos/Rockets…

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Brilliant! Spot the subtle fairing recovery ship logo to indicate it’s been recovered (caught?) previously

twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1295687732367368192

Hat trick🪂 @elonmusk
Thanks to @thomas199920 for pointing this out to me.

⚙️/⬇️/🖼: tmahlmann.com/photos/Rockets…

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1295689288361943042

Clearer shot of the GO Ms. Tree / GO Ms. Chief silhouette on the reused fairings for the eleventh #Starlink mission this morning 🚀 So cool!

⚙️/⬇️/🖼: tmahlmann.com/photos/Rockets…

Further edit: it does mean caught; there’s a wave symbol for recovered from the sea

https://twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1295692416998158340

Yeah! Same here!

Here are close ups of both the scooped and ship-caught icons:

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-38 minutes. The SpaceX Launch Director should be verifying go for propellant load about now.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-35 minutes. First and second stage RP-1 and first stage LOX loading should be starting about now.

[Steven Pietrobon]

SpaceX mission audio.

[Llian Rhydderch]

Is there an NSF live webcast today?

Did I miss the announcement and link?

[jjyach]

Is there an NSF live webcast today?

Did I miss the announcement and link?

There is not as Chris G was busy today and unable to do it.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-16 minutes. Second stage LOX loading should be starting about now.

[CorvusCorax]

Is there an NSF live webcast today?

Did I miss the announcement and link?

Doesn't look like it. EverydayAstronaut is streaming, but he is not there in person and has no live pad video.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/therealjonvh/status/1295726062006087686

[Steven Pietrobon]

Time for some funky music!

[Steven Pietrobon]

Webcast has started.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-10 minutes.

[Chris Bergin]

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1295727550476541954

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-9 minutes. Talking about Skysat payloads.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-8 minutes. 6th flight for first stage.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-7 minutes. Engine chill should be starting now.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Droneship.

T-6 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-5 minutes. Fairings flew on last Starlink mission in January.

[Chris Bergin]

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1295729077995929600

[Steven Pietrobon]

Fairing catchers.

T-4 minutes.

[Chris Bergin]

https://twitter.com/considercosmos/status/1295726630409613314

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-3 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-2 minutes. Stage 2 LOX load closed out.

[Chris Bergin]

Prop load complete.

[Chris Bergin]

Vehicle in start up.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-1 minutes. Falcon 9 is in startup.

Go for launch.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Liftoff!

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+1 minute.

[Chris Bergin]

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1295730390771146752

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+2 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

First stage separation.

T+3 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Fairing separation.

T+4 minutes. Bermuda AOS.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+5 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+6 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Entry burn.

T+7 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+8 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+9 minutes. Touchdown!

[Chris Bergin]

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1295732540523896833

[Steven Pietrobon]

Good orbit.

T+10 minutes. Upcoming events.

00:12:32 SkySat-21 deployment
00:13:02 SkySat-20 deployment
00:13:32 SkySat-19 deployment
00:45:57 Starlink satellites deploy

[Steven Pietrobon]

One minute to Skysat 21 separation.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Skysat 21 deploy confirmed.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Skysat 20 deploy confirmed.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Skysat 19 deploy confirmed.

[Chris Bergin]

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1295733746898018307

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+14 minutes 30 seconds. SpaceX presenter taking a break.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Nice engine views.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/superclusterhq/status/1295734329201565701

A #SpaceX Falcon 9 booster on its record-breaking sixth flight to space, delivering 58 Starlink and three SkySat satellites

Photo by @johnkrausphotos for Supercluster

Edit to add:

twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1295734758769647625

SpaceX just launched the eleventh Starlink mission. What makes this one special is B1049.5 just launched and landed for the sixth time with reused fairing as icing on the cake. Looks like this booster did just fine leaving Earth.

Article: nasaspaceflight.com/2020/08/spacex…

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1295734776633143296

Bonus view of Falcon 9 through the clouds.

[Steven Pietrobon]

The three Skysat's in view over the clouds.

[SMS]

T+14 minutes 30 seconds. SpaceX presenter taking a break.

SpaceX presenter is Kate Tice today.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+20 minutes. Over Ireland and heading towards Great Britain.

[[email protected]]

Just found this site - my PC not showing videos, so able to follow quite nicely with your pictures. Big thanks!

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+25 minutes. Need better error control!

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1295735562100518913

Liftoff! Falcon 9 launches the eleventh Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral at 10:31 A.M. this morning.

This launch also marks the sixth flight for this particular Falcon booster, a new record!

📷: Me for @SuperclusterHQ

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1295736526454824967

Six times, like a boss. Sterling photo by @TrevorMahlmann

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+30 minutes. Over the Middle East.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+35 minutes. Heading towards the Indian Ocean.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+40 minutes. Over the Indian Ocean.

[Steven Pietrobon]

AOS Diego Garcia.

[Steven Pietrobon]

One minute to Starlink separation.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Fairing capture.

Starlinks are away!

[Steven Pietrobon]

Starlinks moving away.

[Steven Pietrobon]

End of webcast.

Congratulations to SpaceX and Planet for the successful launch!

[Chris Bergin]

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1295742192229679104

[Prettz]

"Miss Chief is in route to scoop it out of the ocean."

So they're still not making catch attempts on both at once?

[intelati]

"Miss Chief is in route to scoop it out of the ocean."

So they're still not making catch attempts on both at once?

One fairing missed. That's what I gathered.

[SMS]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1295742100898582528

[kdhilliard]

"Miss Chief is in route to scoop it out of the ocean."

So they're still not making catch attempts on both at once?

One fairing missed. That's what I gathered.

Perhaps, but weather conditions can be highly localized.  Ms Tree might have had good conditions while Ms Chief, five or ten miles away, could have been close enough to a squall to call off the catch attempt.

Has anyone subscribed to offshore AIS reported how close the sisters are during dual catch attempts?

[CraigLieb]

"Miss Chief is in route to scoop it out of the ocean."

So they're still not making catch attempts on both at once?

One fairing missed. That's what I gathered.

Perhaps, but weather conditions can be highly localized.  Ms Tree might have had good conditions while Ms Chief, five or ten miles away, could have been close enough to a squall to call off the catch attempt.

Has anyone subscribed to offshore AIS reported how close the sisters are during dual catch attempts?

Oh it’s a Ms Tree why they didn’t catch the other fairing half!  Maybe a ship rename is in order again? 

[Prettz]

"Miss Chief is in route to scoop it out of the ocean."

So they're still not making catch attempts on both at once?

One fairing missed. That's what I gathered.

No, the ship couldn't be "in route" to the fairing if it missed a catch and it fell next to ship. Alternative explanation is they totally bungled the wording during the broadcast.

[kevinof]

Er no. It splashed in the ocean, probably not far from the second ship - so now it's on-route (probably talking about hundreds of meters and not miles) to the splash location and will fish it out.

"Miss Chief is in route to scoop it out of the ocean."

So they're still not making catch attempts on both at once?

One fairing missed. That's what I gathered.

No, the ship couldn't be "in route" to the fairing if it missed a catch and it fell next to ship. Alternative explanation is they totally bungled the wording during the broadcast.

[zubenelgenubi]

Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief were both deployed on this recovery mission; each boat was to capture one of the two fairing halves.

Ms. Tree made a successful net capture of one fairing half.

Ms. Chief did not make a successful net capture, and is retrieving or already has retrieved the other fairing half, floating on the ocean.

Have I got this right?

[Nomadd]

Er no. It splashed in the ocean, probably not far from the second ship - so now it's on-route (probably talking about hundreds of meters and not miles) to the splash location and will fish it out.

"Miss Chief is in route to scoop it out of the ocean."

So they're still not making catch attempts on both at once?

One fairing missed. That's what I gathered.

No, the ship couldn't be "in route" to the fairing if it missed a catch and it fell next to ship. Alternative explanation is they totally bungled the wording during the broadcast.

It could very well be miles. Something outside an accepted range could cause the fairing or ship or both to waive off the catch attempt.

[kdhilliard]

Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief were both deployed on this recovery mission; each boat was to capture one of the two fairing halves.

Ms. Tree made a successful net capture of one fairing half.

Ms. Chief did not make a successful net capture, and is retrieving or already has retrieved the other fairing half, floating on the ocean.

Have I got this right?

Correct.  And that is all we know.

What we don't know is if Ms. Chief missed her catch, or if they decided to waive off and not attempt a catch with that ship.

[SteveU]

Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief were both deployed on this recovery mission; each boat was to capture one of the two fairing halves.

Ms. Tree made a successful net capture of one fairing half.

Ms. Chief did not make a successful net capture, and is retrieving or already has retrieved the other fairing half, floating on the ocean.

Have I got this right?

Correct.  And that is all we know.

What we don't know is if Ms. Chief missed her catch, or if they decided to waive off and not attempt a catch with that ship.

Does anyone know if they try to put extra distance between the ship and fairing if they determine a catch is unlikely?

[FutureSpaceTourist]

SpaceX launch photos (by Ben Cooper)

[Prettz]

Er no. It splashed in the ocean, probably not far from the second ship - so now it's on-route (probably talking about hundreds of meters and not miles) to the splash location and will fish it out.

I don't know what you're talking about, but how long do you think it would it take one of these very fast boats to cover a couple hundred meters? According to what they said during the broadcast, it was still heading to the fairing at the time they showed the caught fairing.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/considercosmos/status/1295804766505885696

Wow. Check out the vapor cone on Falcon 9. We caught a little telescope slow-mo as it went supersonic.
Congrats @SpaceX on your record 6th re-flight!

🔊 Sound on for max rumble.
🙏 Scope crew @Erdayastronaut, @astroferg & @OPT_Telescopes
#Starlink  cosmicperspective.com/starlink/

[Norm38]

Congrats to the SpaceX team and B1049 for flight and landing #6.  Starting to put up real numbers now.  On to #7!

This is where Starlink and reuse reinforce each other.  For what they're saving on boosters, they can easily afford to lose a payload at the rate they're cranking out Starlinks.  A commercial customer probably isn't willing to sign up for Flight 7 (yet), but Starlink is.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1295837003444039682

Ms Tree catches fairing in her net

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1295837513987305474

Fairing chute control & ship control are closing the loop locally. Both operating on (SpaceX) autopilot.

[wannamoonbase]

Congrats to the SpaceX team and B1049 for flight and landing #6.  Starting to put up real numbers now.  On to #7!

This is where Starlink and reuse reinforce each other.  For what they're saving on boosters, they can easily afford to lose a payload at the rate they're cranking out Starlinks.  A commercial customer probably isn't willing to sign up for Flight 7, but Starlink is.

Excellent flight.  I hope SpaceX is never ok with losing a payload.

Regarding commercial customers, it seemed to me this morning that if Starlink is flying on flights 6 and 7, then those commercial folks are more likely to be comfortable with flights 3,4,5.

Also, it occurred to me that SpaceX should not need to discount launches for higher flight rate booster.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1295847382073171970

Aloha, welcome back from space 💫

Edit: video now attached

https://twitter.com/larsblackmore/status/1295850384125124609

When it looks like bad CGI, but isn’t...

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1295844124462120960

Falcon 9 must have been secured because Of Course I Still Love You droneship is on the move!

Recovery teams got underway at around 4:30pm EDT.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/tskelso/status/1295858503026802688

CelesTrak now has SupTLEs for 36 of 58 #Starlink satellites launched 1431 UTC today (Aug 18), generated from ephemerides provided courtesy of @spacex. We expect the remainder to be out within the next couple of hours. STARLINK-1611 currently leads the pack for pass calculations.

[OneSpeed]

Starlink V1.0 L10 has reverted to the launch profile used by Starlinks L4 - L8, inserting into its coast phase at an altitude of 215km. There were a few glitches in the S2 data though, especially around the time of the landing burn, and I very much doubt that the 6g peak in the S2 acceleration plot is real. Still, it appears the L10 S2 throttled back about 50 seconds later than L7, and shutdown 7 seconds earlier, for exactly the same insertion velocity of 7,541m/s.

[wannamoonbase]

One speed,  thank you, I love these plots after a launch.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/mdcainjr/status/1295880678874251270

SpaceX nails multiple milestones with today’s Starlink launch!  Congrats @SpaceX and @elonmusk 🙌🏻

Personally I photographed my 50th launch!

Merlin 1D engines throwing fire 🔥

#spacex #rocketlaunch

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1296139194805477379

The SpaceX recovery fleet is returning to Port Canaveral with several special deliveries!

Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief are due tomorrow morning, sometime after 4am EDT.

OCISLY and B1049.6 should be arriving on Friday morning.

[wannamoonbase]

Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief are nice fast ships and with 2 ASDS a 10 day cycle between SpaceX flights seems possible.

Very cool to see how efficient SpaceX is getting with Starlink flights.

[ugordan]

Apart from the obvious transsonic vapor cone, interesting to observe some pretty obvious yaw steering of the 2nd stage, if you compare it to the S1 and fairings ballistic trajectories.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

YouTube version of video Elon tweeted yesterday

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1296323834891702272

Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief are about 60 minutes from Port Canaveral. (position on map as of 45 minutes ago)

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/kyle_m_photo/status/1296366125756940289

Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief have arrived back at Port Canaveral with two intact fairing halves.  Ms. Chief's half pictured on the left and Ms. Tree's on the right. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1296370366147899392

Aloha, welcome back from the Atlantic Ocean, GO Ms. Chief and GO. Ms. Tree, with fairings scooped/caught from space 💫 100% worth the 3:30 AM wake up call😎

⚙️/⬇️/🖼: tmahlmann.com/photos/Rockets…

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1296394852104638465

Pay heed, a twice used #Falcon9 fairing rolls into @PortCanaveral after safely landing in Ms. Tree's net☑️
Wonder if it'll go for a third🚀 (so far: fourth + eleventh Starlink)

⚙️/⬇️/🖼:tmahlmann.com/photos/Rockets…

[FutureSpaceTourist]

twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1296730496815243264

Good Morning! OCISLY droneship is offshore from Cape Canaveral, awaiting its arrival in just a few hours time.

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1296749585155661824

Arrival time will be 7:30am EDT this morning!

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/kyle_m_photo/status/1296761542063673344

Six flights definitely make for a dirty booster. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/kyle_m_photo/status/1296765130303328257

They are currently in the process of transferring crew from GO Quest onto OCISLY. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/gregscott_photo/status/1296768871131537408

SpaceX booster 1049.6 sits just off shore waiting for daylight to come into port early this morning. Just be another hour or so before entry. #spacexfleet #NASA #SpaceX

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1296770627202961409

Good morning from Cape Canaveral, where Falcon 9 B1049.6 is returning to port following its record sixth launch and landing.

📷: Me for @SuperclusterHQ

[FutureSpaceTourist]

NSF live now

SpaceX's sootiest booster yet is returning to Port Canaveral in Florida after launching a batch of Starlink satellites. First stage B1049 has now flown six missions – the most of any SpaceX booster.

Article: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/08/spacex-launch-starlink-v1-0-l9-mission/

Forum Coverage: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/ind...

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/kyle_m_photo/status/1296779416081772544

[Chris Bergin]

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1296781648755859457

[Chris Bergin]

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1296783626558996489

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/booster_buddies/status/1296785150932647938

https://twitter.com/kyle_m_photo/status/1296787824855875584

Some tight shots of B1049.6 #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1296789811123105793

B1049
SIX
#Falcon9

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/kyle_m_photo/status/1296792712981680130

OCISLY has finished berthing. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/superclusterhq/status/1296790616874127361

Falcon 9 B1049.6 has returned to Port Canaveral.

Here’s some closeup looks from @johnkrausphotos for Supercluster

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Getting ready to attach lifting harness (from NSF live)

Edit to add: NSF stream wrapping up now. Many thanks to Chris G, Julia and the team for another fab production.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1296795027763539971

And they have the lifting cap already over the booster. Very speedy processing here.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/kyle_m_photo/status/1296807581659406336

Octagrabber is disconnected from the booster, looks like they are going to put it on the stand before retracting the legs. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/kyle_m_photo/status/1296817525938937857

B1049.6 is just barely airborne. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX

https://twitter.com/kyle_m_photo/status/1296826289261772800

B1049.6 is now on the stand. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/kyle_m_photo/status/1296868405362987008

The transport has arrived. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Nice zoomed in pan up booster

https://twitter.com/star_shattered/status/1296864974447562752

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1296883983658221568

Time lapses from today’s lift of Falcon 9 B1049.6. Great showcase of humans for scale.

Lots of cool things to spot here! @SpaceX @elonmusk

🎥: Me for @SuperclusterHQ

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/considercosmos/status/1296928916943384576

Zen views of B1049.6 to start the weekend off right 🧘‍♀️🚀

I love the man toasting the fleet from his beach chair 🏖️ @SpaceX @elonmusk

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1297028083829149702

Gridfins need love too.
These are for you @w00ki33

twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1297029312474882049

Can I join the party?

https://twitter.com/mike_seeley/status/1297034286651060224

Can I join the party?

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1296789811123105793

B1049
SIX
#Falcon9

Zoomed in:

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1297025328221769728

Alright, who stepped on the booster with a giant boot? Huh? I know this booster has been used but dang, that's just abuse. 😏
#B1049 #Falcon9

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/ken_kremer/status/1298255297363009536

2nd landing leg retraction just completed 920 pm et -#Spacex  crane crew hard at work ! 1st done at 830 am. b1049.6 #Starlink @PortCanaveral

https://twitter.com/baserunner0723/status/1298255914940555268

2/4 legs raised #SpaceXfleet

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/ken_kremer/status/1298271805593907200

3rd landing Leg retraction (front) started 10 am . Crane crew intervened during several pauses for piston work. Done 1045 am. 9 merlins uncovered

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1298294395293270019

All legs Up!! Last landing leg at rear retracted successfully 1125 am ET by crane crew - #spacex historic  1st 6th launch/landed Falcon 9 1st stage B1049.6 @PortCanaveral

[FutureSpaceTourist]

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/ken_kremer/status/1298321050615373826

Historic 6x recyc #SpaceX #Falcon9 booster B1049.1 tilted/lowered horiz 1255PM ET today-after workers successfully retracted all 4 landing legs this AM @PortCanaveral.1st stage to be shipped to Cape/likely reused for new record setting 7thlaunch future #Starlink maybe by year end

[FutureSpaceTourist]

[Danderman]

Per Wikipedia, SkySats have a mass of 110 kg, so 3 SkySats mass at 330 kg, requiring 2 Starlink sats to be dropped from the flight.

I don't know the mass of the SkySat launch adapter, but if Starlink sats mass at 260 kg wet, 2 dropped Starlink sats would reduce the payload mass by 520 kg, not 330 kg. There are almost 200 kg of payload mass unaccounted for, an extra SkySat could have been flown (or the SkySat launch adapter is very heavy).

[smoliarm]

Per Wikipedia, SkySats have a mass of 110 kg, so 3 SkySats mass at 330 kg, requiring 2 Starlink sats to be dropped from the flight.

I don't know the mass of the SkySat launch adapter, but if Starlink sats mass at 260 kg wet, 2 dropped Starlink sats would reduce the payload mass by 520 kg, not 330 kg. There are almost 200 kg of payload mass unaccounted for, an extra SkySat could have been flown (or the SkySat launch adapter is very heavy).

IIRC, SkySats required higher deployment orbit. That's the reason for "unaccounted" kilograms.

[gongora]

The orbit for Skysats didn't seem that different, the orbit for the Blacksky sats was a good bit higher.  The rideshare adapter is sizable, and then the adapter for the Skysats was on top of that:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51258.msg2119979#msg2119979