SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L21 : KSC LC-39A : 14 March 2021 (10:01 UTC)

[gongora]

Discussion thread for Starlink v1.0 L21

NSF Threads for Starlink v1.0 L21: Discussion

Successful launch 14 March 2021 at 6:01am EDT/10:01 UTC on Falcon 9 (booster 1051-9) from LC-39A. ASDS landing on OCISLY was successful. Fairing recovery is expected.

Payload: A batch of 60 Starlink satellites. Expected deployment orbit of approximately 260x280km.

The Falcon 9 first stage rocket booster supporting this mission previously supported launch of Crew Dragon’s first demonstration mission, RADARSAT Constellation Mission, SXM-7, and five Starlink missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship, which will be located in the Atlantic Ocean. Falcon 9’s fairing previously flew on the Transporter-1 mission.

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.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

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] 3.

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

[Jansen]

Due to delays of Starlink v1.0 L17 and limitations at LC-39A, this launch is unlikely to take place in February. Will most likely be first week of March.

[Elthiryel]

According to Next Spaceflight, this mission is now planned for March 13, 10:06 UTC (5:06 AM local) from LC-39A. Landing on OCISLY.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2676

[Jansen]

According to Next Spaceflight, this mission is now planned for March 13, 10:06 UTC (5:06 AM local) from LC-39A. Landing on OCISLY.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2676

That would be a new record turnaround of 9 days at LC-39A.

[Raul]

Issued NOTAM in MELBOURNE information region for Stage2 reentry of Starlink_v1.0-L21 confirming planned primary launch date NET March 13 10:06 UTC, backup date March 14 09:44 UTC.

MELBOURNE (FIR/FIC/ACC/COM/MET)
NOTAM #: F0727/21      Class: International      Status: Active      Issue Date UTC: 03/04/2021 1932      Start Date UTC: 03/13/2021 1110      End Date UTC: 03/14/2021 1325
F0727/21 NOTAMN
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/5301S12023E999
A) YMMM
B) 2103131110 C) 2103141325
D) 2103131110 TO 2103131347
   2103141048 TO 2103141325
PRI REENTRY 210313
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 FALCON-9 STARLINK V1.0-L21  WI THE
FOLLOWING AREAS:
FM 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

[oldAtlas_Eguy]

There are 2 booster available for use for this flight: 1060.6 at 37 days L2L and 1051.9 at 52 days L2L.

Also even though the ambitious 9 day pad turnaround for 39A is possible in practice due to many obstacles it has been more like 11 to 14 days. Putting a more likely launch date as 15th to 18th.

[zubenelgenubi: Manifest discussion cross-posted and continues in dedicated thread here.]

[Jansen]

There have been multiple threads on this topic [increasing launch frequency]. These are not new ideas, and have been thoroughly discussed.

I would suggest going through this thread to start:

Increasing SpaceX launch frequency
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=52035.0

[zubenelgenubi: performed a small split/merge.]

[Raul]

Map of Launch Hazard Areas of Starlink v1.0-L21 mission, based on NOTMAR messages.
Planned booster landing as usually 633km downrange. Estimated fairing recovery position could be ~707km downrange.
Stage2 reentry area corresponds again for double Stage2 burn with circular deploying orbit

080917Z MAR 21
NAVAREA IV 205/21(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   130901Z TO 131159Z MAR, ALTERNATE
   140839Z TO 141137Z MAR
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39-45N 080-38-13W, 29-41-00N 079-27-00W,
      29-29-00N 079-21-00W, 28-32-00N 080-19-00W,
      28-27-23N 080-31-33W.
   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 141237Z MAR 21.

080930Z MAR 21
HYDROPAC 753/21(61,75,76).
SOUTHERN INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 03, DNC 04, DNC 05.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   131110Z TO 131347Z MAR, ALTERNATE
   141048Z TO 141325Z 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 141425Z MAR 21.

[zubenelgenubi]

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

March 14 mid 13 - Starlink flight 22 (x60) [v1.0 L21] - Falcon 9-111 (1051.9 S) - Kennedy LC-39A - 10:01 10:06 09:44
(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)

March 21 NET late - Starlink flight 23 (x60)  [v1.0 L22] - Falcon 9-112 (1060.6 S) - Canaveral SLC-40 - 04:37
(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 09:00-10:30 ~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)

Changes on February 19th
Changes on March 3rd
Changes on March 4th
Changes on March 5th
Changes on March 9th
Changes on March 10th
Changes on March 11th
Changes on March 13th
zubenelgenubi

[scr00chy]

This is definitely going to be delayed. JRTI is busy with L20 and OCISLY is still in port.

[Thunderscreech]

The TFR for Saturday was just withdrawn, so that seems to be the case.

[Conexion Espacial]

According to the TFR for March 14, what time would the launch be?, it seems that the window is a little earlier now.
https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_3440.html

[Ken the Bin]

According to the TFR for March 14, what time would the launch be?, it seems that the window is a little earlier now.
https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_3440.html

Here's what I had calculated based on the NGA Rocket Launching notice:

Primary Day = Saturday, March 13 at ~10:06 UTC.
Backup Day = Sunday, March 14 at ~09:44 UTC.

[RocketLover0119]

According to the TFR for March 14, what time would the launch be?, it seems that the window is a little earlier now.
https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_3440.html

Here's what I had calculated based on the NGA Rocket Launching notice:

Primary Day = Saturday, March 13 at ~10:06 UTC.
Backup Day = Sunday, March 14 at ~09:44 UTC.

The switch to daylight savings here in the states is Saturday into Sunday, I would presume the back up day would be more like 08:44 UTC, here in Florida it will be UTC -4 with the change, which would be 4:44 am local. 

[zubenelgenubi]

According to the TFR for March 14, what time would the launch be?, it seems that the window is a little earlier now.
https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_3440.html

Here's what I had calculated based on the NGA Rocket Launching notice:

Primary Day = Saturday, March 13 at ~10:06 UTC.
Backup Day = Sunday, March 14 at ~09:44 UTC.

= Saturday, 13 March 5:06 am EST (EST = UTC - 5 hours)

("Spring Forward" 1 hour at 2:00 am local USA time)

= Sunday, 14 March ~5:44 am EDT. (EDT = UTC - 4 hours)

(UTC doesn't shift for daylight savings or summer time.  The affected time zone does.  It's one of the several reasons to love UTC.) 💘

[RocketLover0119]

According to the TFR for March 14, what time would the launch be?, it seems that the window is a little earlier now.
https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_3440.html

Here's what I had calculated based on the NGA Rocket Launching notice:

Primary Day = Saturday, March 13 at ~10:06 UTC.
Backup Day = Sunday, March 14 at ~09:44 UTC.

= Saturday, 13 March 5:06 am EST (EST = UTC - 5 hours)

("Spring Forward" 1 hour at 2:00 am local USA time)

= Sunday, 14 March ~5:44 am EDT. (EDT = UTC - 4 hours)

(UTC doesn't shift for daylight savings or summer time.  The affected time zone does.  It's one of the several reasons to LOVE UTC.)

Gotcha, thought it was the other way around because I thought starlinks got around 20 minutes earlier per delay day.

[Ken the Bin]

According to the TFR for March 14, what time would the launch be?, it seems that the window is a little earlier now.
https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_3440.html

Here's what I had calculated based on the NGA Rocket Launching notice:

Primary Day = Saturday, March 13 at ~10:06 UTC.
Backup Day = Sunday, March 14 at ~09:44 UTC.

= Saturday, 13 March 5:06 am EST (EST = UTC - 5 hours)

("Spring Forward" 1 hour at 2:00 am local USA time)

= Sunday, 14 March ~5:44 am EDT. (EDT = UTC - 4 hours)

(UTC doesn't shift for daylight savings or summer time.  The affected time zone does.  It's one of the several reasons to LOVE UTC.)

Gotcha, thought it was the other way around because I thought starlinks got around 20 minutes earlier per delay day.

The mid-inclination Starlink launches get a shade over 21.5 minutes earlier each day in absolute terms, so that's reflected in the time in UTC regardless of an time change.

If there is a time change, local time will be 38.5 minutes later for Spring Forward (what is shown in zubenelgenubi's calculations) or an hour and 21.5 minutes earlier for Fall Back.

[gongora]

https://twitter.com/Raul74Cz/status/1369773958741041152

#Starlink v1.0-L21 mission slipped to NET 14 March 09:44 UTC with #Starlink v1.0-L20 NET 11 March 08:13 UTC, based on issued NOTAMs for pre-launch and launch closures.

[Jansen]

Confirmation from SFN:

Launch time: 0944 GMT (5:44 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida