Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L13 : KSC LC-39A : October 18, 2020 (12:25 UTC)  (Read 63213 times)

Offline gongora

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Discussion thread for Starlink v1.0 Flight 13.

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

NSF Threads for Starlink v1.0 Flight 13: Discussion

Successful launch October 18, 2020 at 8:25am EDT (12:25 UTC) on Falcon 9 (booster 1051.6) from LC-39A.  ASDS landing on OCISLY (towed by Finn Falgout) was successful.  Deployment orbit of approximately 277x263km.  This is the third flight for both fairing halves.  Both fairing halves landed on the recovery ships.  One of the nets broke during the catch.

Payload: A batch of 60 Starlink satellites.

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:
Quote
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.
« Last Edit: 10/19/2020 01:13 am by gongora »

Online scr00chy

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L13 : September 2020
« Reply #1 on: 09/02/2020 06:55 pm »
This should be launching from 39A, according to both Ben Cooper and SFN.

Offline gongora

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L13 : September 2020
« Reply #2 on: 09/02/2020 07:49 pm »
This should be launching from 39A, according to both Ben Cooper and SFN.

Yeah, I just don't quite trust details three launches out  :D

Offline Elthiryel

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L13 : September 2020
« Reply #3 on: 09/05/2020 08:30 am »
According to Next Spaceflight, booster 1051.6 is going to be used for this flight.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2578

Previous missions:
Crew Demo-1 (March 2019)
RADARSAT Constellation Mission (June 2019)
Starlink-4 (January 2020)
Starlink-7 (April 2020)
Starlink-10 (August 2020)

This is NET September now. If it launches before September 27, it's going to beat the record of the shortest time between launches of the same booster, currently slightly over 51 days.
GO for launch, GO for age of reflight

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L13 : late September 2020
« Reply #4 on: 09/09/2020 07:07 pm »
http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html
Quote
A Falcon 9 will launch the fourthteenth Starlink batch from pad TBA on late September TBA.

GPS III-4 is launching from SLC-40 on October 1 UTC.
Starlink v1.0 L12 has been assigned to LC-39A, perhaps to allow the GPS launch campaign more time without intrusions?
Therefore, wouldn't it make sense for Starlink v1.0 L13 to use SLC-40 LC-39A in late September?

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

2020
Mid- September 17 - Starlink flight 13 (x60) [v1.0 L12] - Falcon 9-094 (B1058.3 S) - Canaveral SLC-40 Kennedy LC-39A - 18:17
NET September 5  18 - NROL-44: Orion 10 (Mentor 8 ) (TBD) - Delta IV-H [D-385] - Canaveral SLC-37B - 04:30-07:12
Late September - Starlink flight 14 (x60) [v1.0 L13] - Falcon 9-095 (B1051.6 S) - Kennedy LC-39A
September 30 - Cygnus NG-14 (CRS-14) - Antares-230+ - MARS LP-0A - 02:26
NET September - STP-27RM: Monolith - Electron/Kick Stage - MARS LA-0A (LC-2)
October 1 - GPS III SV04 - Falcon 9 (B1062.1 S) - Canaveral SLC-40 - 00:00-04:00

Changes on September 1st
Changes on September 3rd
Changes on September 5th
Changes on September 7th
Changes on September 9th
zubenelgenubi September 9th

EDIT: my bad
« Last Edit: 09/09/2020 07:42 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline gongora

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L13 : late September 2020
« Reply #5 on: 09/09/2020 07:21 pm »
GPS III-4 is launching from SLC-40 on October 1 UTC.
Starlink v1.0 L12 has been assigned to LC-39A, perhaps to allow the GPS launch campaign more time without intrusions?
Therefore, wouldn't it make sense for Starlink v1.0 L13 to use SLC-40 in late September?

I think it would make more sense for this flight to go from 39A if GPS III-4 is staying at SLC-40

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L13 : October 2020
« Reply #6 on: 09/18/2020 07:22 pm »
Starlink v1.0 L12 delayed:
Quote from: SpaceX Tweet
Standing down from tomorrow’s [September 18] launch of Starlink due to severe weather in the recovery area, which is likely to persist for a couple days. Will announce a new target launch date once confirmed.

Reason:
Quote from: Elon Musk
Current was too strong for droneship to hold station. Thrusters to be upgraded for future missions.

Thus, apparently, this flight (Starlink v1.0 L13) will be after GPS III-4; my bold:
http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html
Quote
FALCON 9

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral will launch the thirteenth batch of Starlink internet satellites from pad 39A on late September TBA, in the mid-day EDT. A Falcon 9 from pad 40 will launch the fourth Block III GPS satellite on September 30, sometime between 8pm and midnight EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the fourthteenth Starlink batch from pad TBA on October TBA. And a Falcon 9 will launch the fifteenth batch of Starlink satellites on October TBA. Other upcoming Falcon 9 launches are TBA. The next Crew Dragon, Crew-1, is scheduled for launch from pad 39A on October 23 at 5:47am EDT. The launch window is instantaneous (sunrise is not until 7:28am). The launch time gets 22-26 min. earlier each day.
TBA and/or TBD: Which LC will this launch from?
Speculations:
If creating unfettered access to LC-39A, as early as possible, for Crew-1 is most important, then it will launch from SLC-40.

If not, and if the LV is already at SLC-39A, then it may (still) launch from LC-39A.

This launch campaign may include a Static Fire.

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

2020
Late September 17 18 - Starlink flight 13 (x60) [v1.0 L12] - Falcon 9-094 (B1058.3 S) - Canaveral SLC-40  Kennedy LC-39A - 17:57
September 18 26  - NROL-44: Orion 10 (RIO 10, Mission 8306, Mentor 8 ) (TBD) - Delta IV-H [D-385] - Canaveral SLC-37B  - 04:01-05:35
September 30 - Cygnus NG-14 (CRS-14) - Antares-230+ - MARS LP-0A - 02:26
NET September - STP-27RM: Monolith - Electron/Kick Stage - MARS LA-0A (LC-2)
October 1 - GPS III SV04 - Falcon 9 (B1062.1 S) - Canaveral SLC-40 - 00:00-04:00
Late September October - Starlink flight 14 (x60) [v1.0 L13] - Falcon 9-095 (B1051.6 S) - Kennedy LC-39A?
October 23 - USCV-1: Dragon v2 Crew-1 - Falcon 9 (B1061.1 S) - Kennedy LC-39A - 09:47
October - Starlink flight 15 (x60) [v1.0 L14] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40
October - NROL-101 - Atlas V 531 (AV-090) - Canaveral SLC-41

Changes on September 13th
Changes on September 16th
Changes on September 17th
Changes on September 18th
zubenelgenubi September 18th
« Last Edit: 09/18/2020 08:03 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L13 : October 2020
« Reply #7 on: 09/27/2020 08:07 pm »
TBA and/or TBD: Which LC will this launch from?
Speculations:
If creating unfettered access to LC-39A, as early as possible, for Crew-1 is most important, then it will launch from SLC-40.

If not, and if the LV is already at SLC-39A, then it may (still) launch from LC-39A.

This launch campaign may include a Static Fire.

Given the launch delay of Starlink v1.0 Flight 12, currently set for September 28:
I deduce that Starlink v1.0 Flight 13 and 14 will launch from SLC-40.  We'll see!
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline wannamoonbase

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L13 : October 2020
« Reply #8 on: 09/27/2020 08:45 pm »
TBA and/or TBD: Which LC will this launch from?
Speculations:
If creating unfettered access to LC-39A, as early as possible, for Crew-1 is most important, then it will launch from SLC-40.

If not, and if the LV is already at SLC-39A, then it may (still) launch from LC-39A.

This launch campaign may include a Static Fire.

Given the launch delay of Starlink v1.0 Flight 12, currently set for September 28:
I deduce that Starlink v1.0 Flight 13 and 14 will launch from SLC-40.  We'll see!

Agreed and that SpaceX may only plan Flight 13 in the first 10 days of October then stand down other launches and give the Crew mission as wide a berth as possible.
Wildly optimistic prediction, Superheavy recovery on IFT-4 or IFT-5

Offline Raul

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L13 : October 10, 2020
« Reply #9 on: 10/02/2020 10:03 am »
Active NOTAM in MELBOURNE information region south of Australia for Stage2 debris reentry and splashdown of Starlink V1.0-L13 launch NET October 10.
Corresponds again to flight profile with double S2 burn and circular deploying orbit.

Quote
MELBOURNE (FIR/FIC/ACC/COM/MET)
NOTAM #: F2857/20   Class: International   Status: Active   Issue Date UTC: 10/02/2020 0447      Start Date UTC: 10/10/2020 1709      End Date UTC: 10/11/2020 1740
F2857/20 NOTAMN
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/3014S13202E999
A) YMMM
B) 2010101709 C) 2010111740
D) PRI RE-ENTRY 101709-101801
BACKUP RE-ENTRY 111647-111740
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 X0300 FALCON 9 STARLINK V1.0-L13
UPPER STAGE WI THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
FROM 2943S 06007E
2455S 06427E
3845S 08430E
4512S 09945E
4946S 11913E
5042S 13819E
4850S 15644E
5146S 15808E
5442S 14832E
5620S 13103E
5552S 10750E
4911S 08505E
3432S 06413E TO BEGINNING
F) SFC G) UNL

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L13 : CC SLC-40 : October 2020
« Reply #10 on: 10/03/2020 06:52 pm »
SFN Launch Schedule, dated October 2:
Launch Location: Cape Canaveral AFS SLC-40
Launch Date: October 10
Launch Time: TBA
***

Of course, this launch campaign cannot take custody of the pad until after the GPS launch happens.

And, this launch campaign may include a Static Fire.

Perhaps NET October 10 would be the better descriptor.

This Starlink launch going to CC SLC-40 is not a big surprise, as I'm sure the Dragon Crew-1 launch campaign team is champing at the bit to take custody of LC-39A as soon as Starlink v1.0 Flight 12 goes.

I wonder when the NROL-44 launch will end up, with respect to the other pending launches.

And, there's NROL-101, preparing for launch, perhaps this month, over at SLC-41.

EDIT October 4; from Launch Photography/Ben Cooper:
Quote
A Falcon 9 will launch the fourteenth Starlink batch from pad 40 on October TBD, in the morning EDT.
« Last Edit: 10/04/2020 08:14 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline Ken the Bin

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I received this notice from the NGA with a Primary Day of October 10 and a Backup Day of October 11.  I don't know for sure what launch it is for.  My best guess is this launch.

Quote from: NGA
050754Z OCT 20
NAVAREA IV 950/20(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   101501Z TO 101618Z OCT, ALTERNATE
   111439Z TO 111557Z OCT
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-38-22N 080-37-14W, 29-16-00N 079-53-00W,
      29-13-00N 079-45-00W, 28-27-00N 080-31-00W,
      28-27-30N 080-31-30W.
   B. 31-29-00N 077-32-00W, 33-15-00N 075-57-00W,
      33-40-00N 074-59-00W, 33-21-00N 074-25-00W,
      32-45-00N 074-32-00W, 31-13-00N 077-13-00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 111657Z OCT 20.

Offline gongora

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There's no way any flight that isn't already sitting on the pad is going to launch on the 10th.
« Last Edit: 10/05/2020 02:58 pm by gongora »

Offline Ken the Bin

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There's no way any flight that isn't already sitting on the pad is going to launch on the 10th.
Well, after I posted it, I took a closer look at the times, and the time difference between the 10th and the 11th is consistent with a Starlink launch, and is not consistent with GPS III SV04.

It isn't necessarily even a SpaceX launch, but it isn't consistent with NROL-44.

Any other suggestions?

Or are you just suggesting that it's a case of wishful thinking?

Offline gongora

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My first guess is someone forgot to pull the paperwork.  I don't see what it matches, and even if L12 had taken off today I don't see how they would have launched another from that pad on Saturday.  No way it would be launching from SLC-40 on Saturday either (unless the GPS launch window drastically changed?).  It doesn't match NROL-44 at all.
« Last Edit: 10/05/2020 03:24 pm by gongora »

Offline Ken the Bin

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I haven't seen anything yet for the GPS launch, but yes, it is extremely unlikely that something else would launch from SLC-40 before GPS.

If I see a cancellation or an update+cancel for the notice, I will of course post it.

Offline soltasto

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As far as we know, as both the GPS III-4 and Starlink v1.0 L12 Falcon 9 rockets were ready, SpaceX could have assembled another Falcon 9 at SLC-40 or at 39A (or maybe even off-site, they have done that at least once I think, minus the payload attachment tot he second stage) and it could be ready to be mounted to the TEL. In this case they would have less less work left to do for the next launch.
« Last Edit: 10/05/2020 06:35 pm by soltasto »

Offline Jansen

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As far as we know, as both the GPS III-4 and Starlink v1.0 L12 Falcon 9 rockets were ready, SpaceX could have assembled another Falcon 9 at SLC-40 or at 39A (or maybe even off-site, they have done that at least once I think, minus the payload attachment tot he second stage) and it could be ready to be mounted to the TEL. In this case they would have less less work left to do for the next launch.

The quickest turnaround between launches on the same pad is 9 days.

Is a four day turnaround possible if everything else is staged? How much work on the launchpad is actually needed to prepare for the next launch?
« Last Edit: 10/06/2020 09:52 am by Jansen »

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As far as we know, as both the GPS III-4 and Starlink v1.0 L12 Falcon 9 rockets were ready, SpaceX could have assembled another Falcon 9 at SLC-40 or at 39A (or maybe even off-site, they have done that at least once I think, minus the payload attachment tot he second stage) and it could be ready to be mounted to the TEL. In this case they would have less less work left to do for the next launch.

The quickest turnaround so far on the same pad is 9 days.

Is a four day turnaround possible if everything else is staged? How much work on the launchpad is actually needed to prepare for the next launch?

They can do it faster for sure. There was only about a 6-day gap between BulgariaSat-1 launch and Intelsat 35e static fire, for example.

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Cross-posting from the GPS III-4 launch thread:
Might SpaceX proceed with the Starlink v1.0 Flight 13 campaign (possible Static Fire, then launch), at SLC-40, while the GPS LV is "in the shop?"
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