SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 15-12 : VSFB SLC-4E : 13/14 December 2025 (05:49 UTC)

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Thread for the Starlink Group 15-12 launch.

Launch 14 December 2025, at 05:49:00 UTC (13 December 9:49 pm PST), from Vandenberg SLC-4E, on booster 1093-9. The first stage has landed aboard Of Course I Still Love You.

Payload 27 Starlink V2.0 Mini satellites, to a 70.01 degrees inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit 255 x 269 km.

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

[Galactic Penguin SST]

https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl-15-12

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is targeting the launch of 27 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app.

This is the ninth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SDA T1TL-B, SDA T1TL-C, and six Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.

[Steven Pietrobon]

PDF of online press kit.

[zubenelgenubi]

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/
Supplemental GP Element Sets
Current as of 2025 Dec 11 16:46:24 UTC (Day 345)

Starlink G15-12 Pre-Launch   
Derived from a pre-launch Starlink-G15-12 state vector, provided by SpaceX. SupGP data is provided for the entire stack, as well as one for a single satellite.

Launch: 2025-12-14 05:20:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 06:21:43.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 05:20:00 UTC to 2025-12-14 09:20:00 UTC.

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g15-12&FORMAT=tle
Pre-Launch Derived Orbit:
255 km x 269 km x 70.01 deg

[zubenelgenubi]

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/
Supplemental GP Element Sets
Current as of 2025 Dec 13 05:59:08 UTC (Day 347)

Starlink G15-12 Pre-Launch   
Derived from a pre-launch Starlink-G15-12 state vector, provided by SpaceX. SupGP data is provided for the entire stack, as well as one for a single satellite.

Launch: 2025-12-14 05:35:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 06:36:43.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 05:35:00 UTC to 2025-12-14 05:37:19 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #1   
Launch: 2025-12-14 05:43:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 06:45:03.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 05:43:20 UTC to 2025-12-14 05:51:39 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #2   
Launch: 2025-12-14 06:03:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 07:05:23.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 06:03:40 UTC to 2025-12-14 06:27:19 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #3   
Launch: 2025-12-14 06:35:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 07:37:03.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 06:35:20 UTC to 2025-12-14 06:38:19 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #4   
Launch: 2025-12-14 08:00:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 09:02:03.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 08:00:20 UTC to 2025-12-14 08:01:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #5   
Launch: 2025-12-14 08:07:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 09:09:23.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 08:07:40 UTC to 2025-12-14 08:15:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #6   
Launch: 2025-12-14 08:49:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 09:51:23.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 08:49:40 UTC to 2025-12-14 08:59:29 UTC.

[catdlr]

Here is a consolidated post of available video links for this launch:

SpaceX's direct live broadcast on
Website:  https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl-15-12
 Twitter:  https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1yoKMPjYrNnxQ

SpaceX Re-broadcast alternatives on YouTube: 
Space Affairs:  https://youtube.com/watch?v=cLpU4IDPvO8

There is no planned NSF Live coverage. Alternate Pre-Launch Coverage:  https://youtube.com/watch?v=bydgRejCR7c

Replay supplied by The Space Devs (15 min after the broadcast end):  https://youtube.com/@thespacedevs/videos

Summary Video provided by SciNews (15 min after the broadcast ends):  https://youtube.com/@SciNewsRo/videos

Launch Ground Video:  https://bensweather.com/

Fleet Booster Number:  https://twitter.com/BoosterSpX

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Slight change in launch window:

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/
Supplemental GP Element Sets
Current as of 2025 Dec 13 17:20:44 UTC (Day 347)

Starlink G15-12 Pre-Launch   
Derived from a pre-launch Starlink-G15-12 state vector, provided by SpaceX. SupGP data is provided for the entire stack, as well as one for a single satellite.

Launch: 2025-12-14 05:49:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 06:50:43.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 05:49:00 UTC to 2025-12-14 05:51:39 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #1   
Launch: 2025-12-14 06:07:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 07:08:43.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 06:07:00 UTC to 2025-12-14 06:11:39 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #2   
Launch: 2025-12-14 06:12:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 07:14:23.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 06:12:40 UTC to 2025-12-14 06:13:29 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #3   
Launch: 2025-12-14 06:14:10 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 07:15:53.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 06:14:10 UTC to 2025-12-14 06:16:19 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #4   
Launch: 2025-12-14 06:16:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 07:18:03.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 06:16:20 UTC to 2025-12-14 06:23:39 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #5   
Launch: 2025-12-14 06:23:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 07:25:23.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 06:23:40 UTC to 2025-12-14 06:27:19 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #6   
Launch: 2025-12-14 06:35:50 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 07:37:33.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 06:35:50 UTC to 2025-12-14 06:36:19 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #7   
Launch: 2025-12-14 08:00:20 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 09:02:03.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 08:00:20 UTC to 2025-12-14 08:00:29 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #8   
Launch: 2025-12-14 08:00:30 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 09:02:13.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 08:00:30 UTC to 2025-12-14 08:00:59 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #9   
Launch: 2025-12-14 08:14:50 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 09:16:33.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 08:14:50 UTC to 2025-12-14 08:15:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #10   
Launch: 2025-12-14 08:56:30 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 09:58:13.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 08:56:30 UTC to 2025-12-14 08:59:29 UTC.

[zubenelgenubi]

Backup launch skips December 15.
https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt

PLANNED LAUNCH/REENTRY:
SPACEX STARLINK 15-12, VANDENBERG SFB, CA
PRIMARY:   12/14/25   0520Z-1002Z
BACKUP:      12/16/25   0452Z-0934Z

SPACEX STARLINK 6-82, CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:   12/15/25   0243Z-0726Z
BACKUP:      12/16/25   0217Z-0700Z

ULA KA-04, CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:   12/15/25   0835Z-1204Z
BACKUP:      12/16/25   0813Z-1142Z

SPACEX STARLINK 6-99, KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL
PRIMARY:   12/15/25   1311Z-1754Z
BACKUP:      12/16/25   1245Z-1728Z

NEXT PLANNING WEBINAR: 2215Z
132036-132259
25/12/13 20:36  DCCOPS.lxstn35

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/Dillonshrop06/status/2000031046901928112

Dillon
@Dillonshrop06
Hazard Map for Starlink 15-12

[catdlr]

T-2 hr. Mariculously, the open launch slot is still holding on.

Launch: 2025-12-14 05:49:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-12-14 06:50:43.740 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-12-14 05:49:00 UTC to 2025-12-14 05:51:39 UTC.

[catdlr]

T-38 min. Assume FD has now conducted the launch polling and has issued Go for propellant loading. Fueling begins at Y-35 min.

This may be the first time (at least in a while) that we have a launch right at the first opportunity.

[catdlr]

Weather, should be foggy, it was here all day in the West side of LA

[catdlr]

T-20:20, the start of the Big vent should now have started.  SpaceX broadcasts should begin at T-5 min.

[catdlr]

T-12 min. About 7 minutes from the start of the launch broadcast.

[catdlr]

Launch and Landing Trajectory.

[catdlr]

SpaceX has started its broadcast with more lively music than RL.

https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1yoKMPjYrNnxQ

[catdlr]

Transporter Erector retraction started.  NO, your glasses are not dirty.

[catdlr]

Stage 1 LOX Load Complete

[catdlr]

Stage 2 LOX Load Complete

[catdlr]

GSE closeout

[catdlr]

F9 On Startup

[catdlr]

FD - go for launch

[catdlr]

Launch

That took 14 seconds to get above the fog.



https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/2000080972620918918

William Harwood
@cbs_spacenews
F9/Starlink 15-12: Liftoff from pad 4E at Vandenberg SFB came at 12:49am EST (05:49 UTC); this was the 182nd F9 launch this year, the 579th overall and the 10th this month; 1st stage booster B1093 is making its 9th flight

[catdlr]

MAX-Q

[catdlr]

MECO, Stage Separation, grid fin deployment

https://https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/2000081468802957338

William Harwood
@cbs_spacenews
F9/Starlink 15-12: Stage separation confirmed; the 1st stage is now heading for landing on a downrange droneship while the 2nd stage continues the push to an initial orbit

[catdlr]

Fairing Separation

[catdlr]

Booster Apogee

[catdlr]

Entry Burn

[catdlr]

Landing Burn and Landing

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/2000082859542167810

William Harwood
@cbs_spacenews

F9/Starlink 15-12: 1st stage landing confirmed; this was SpaceX's 451st booster recovery at sea and its 550th overall

[catdlr]

SECO,
Nominal (Parking) Orbit Insertion callout,  actual: "Good orbit insertion."
End broadcast

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/2000083289684463685

William Harwood
@cbs_spacenews

F9/Starlink 15-12: 2nd stage engine shutdown No. 1 confirmed; the vehicle will now coast for 44 minutes before a final 1-second burn at 1:41am EST (0641 UTC) to reach the planned deploy orbit; Starlink release is expected at 1:50am EST (0650 UTC)

[catdlr]

Payload for record

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/2000080842463261111

William Harwood
@cbs_spacenews
·

F9/Starlink 15-12: SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from California through heavy fog early Sunday (ET), boosting another 27 Starlinks into space in the company's 119th launch of its internet satellites so far this year

[catdlr]

The launch and highlight video:

[catdlr]

Full rebroadcast in 4K

[catdlr]

T+19 min.  Deployment should be at T+59 min after a short 1 sec orbital circularization burn. 

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/2000096182626914331

SpaceX
@SpaceX

Deployment of 27 @Starlink satellites confirmed

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/2000101970682806607

SpaceX@SpaceX
Falcon 9 launches 27 @Starlink satellites from California

[zubenelgenubi]

  Thanks, Tony!

[catdlr]

One last item, the Farings

https://twitter.com/_rykllan/status/2000404743336693818