Actually the shortest turnaround on SLC-40 was 13 days:Apr 14, 2015 --- Dragon CRS-6Apr 27, 2015 --- TurkmenSat 1Although this was for Falcon 9 v1.1; don't know if it makes things easier or not.
Thanks for the correction! It's actually closer to 12 days (12d 2h 53m). And it's even more impressive considering they did it with the old T/E.
This was back in the days when they did the static fire with payload attached. Though I guess since Starlink is an internal payload, they may do the static fire with payload already mated.
There is a likelihood that SpaceX will release pictures of sats and dispenser but only after a specific launch date. These releases would likely coincide with the LRR. As far as when the date will likely be toward end of May, possibly in the beginning of the last week of May or about 24th. In between is a VAFB launch 16th if the date holds.
Shotwell: Starlink launch now scheduled for May 15; will have “dozens” of satellites on board (but is not more specific). #SATShow
Shotwell: first Starlink satellites is a “demonstration set” for us; upcoming launches will depend on how they work. Could have two to six Starlink launches this year. #SATShow
@SpaceX Shotwell: at least 2 Starlink missions beyond the mid-May launch. We are still seeing strong uptake of our launch services, and Starlink would be on top of that. The Starlinks going up May 15 have no intersat links, they are test [email protected]
https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/1125848683348725760Quote@SpaceX Shotwell: at least 2 Starlink missions beyond the mid-May launch. We are still seeing strong uptake of our launch services, and Starlink would be on top of that. The Starlinks going up May 15 have no intersat links, they are test [email protected]
So I guess we'll find out which booster it is when it rolls out this week. They'll have to SF by Saturday to launch next Wed per previous flows.I'm still hoping for a 4th booster flight. Has to happen sometime...
It is believed that B1048 has instead been manifested for the first dedicated mission of SpaceX’s Starlink internet constellation scheduled for no earlier than May.
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/04/spacexs-crew-dragon-spacecraft-anomaly-static-fire-testing/suggests B1048.4 but I guess they might change plans and switch again with anomaly.
In terms of the core for this mission, B1049-3 is my latest understanding. However, they have been shuffling cores a lot lately, so the press kit (which usually notes prior first stage missions) will likely be needed for confirmation.
“This next batch of satellites will really be a demonstration set for us to see the deployment scheme and start putting our network together,” she said at the Satellite 2019 conference here. “We start launching satellites for actual service later this year.”
Are they flying a reused payload fairing on this flight?
http://www.spaceflightfans.cn/event/falcon-9-rocket-launch-starlink-satellites?instance_id=2517According to this chinese article the good aunt Shotwell has said it at the sat conference.
