Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 5 (v1.0 L4) : Feb. 17, 2020 : Master Thread (Read 138507 times)

Elthiryel · « **Reply #20 on:** 02/06/2020 07:40 pm »

According to Next Spaceflight, booster 1056.4 is going to be used for this flight.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2569

It previously supported CRS-17 (May 2019), CRS-18 (July 2019) and JCSAT-18/Kacific1 (December 2019) flights.

AndrewRG10 · « **Reply #21 on:** 02/06/2020 09:57 pm »

Quote from: Elthiryel on 02/06/2020 07:40 pm

According to Next Spaceflight, booster 1056.4 is going to be used for this flight.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2569

It previously supported CRS-17 (May 2019), CRS-18 (July 2019) and JCSAT-18/Kacific1 (December 2019) flights.

Finally going to break the turn around record B1045 has held on for over 20 months

Hummy · « **Reply #22 on:** 02/09/2020 06:27 am »

https://twitter.com/gospacelaunch/status/1226368593220206592

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #23 on:** 02/09/2020 05:46 pm »

https://twitter.com/gregscott_photo/status/1226564590890340353

Quote

SpaceX's strongback is the support structure for the Falcon 9 rocket. It moves the F9 from the nearby #SpaceX hanger into launch position @ SLC-40. It is seen here folding down Sat from its latest launch to be readied for the next launch on Feb 15th. #NASA #space #NASASocial

leetdan · « **Reply #24 on:** 02/11/2020 04:36 pm »

As of noon EDT, tug Hawk has left port with OCISLY heading for the landing site.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #25 on:** 02/11/2020 05:16 pm »

Quote from: leetdan on 02/11/2020 04:36 pm

As of noon EDT, tug Hawk has left port with OCISLY heading for the landing site.

.

Indeed:

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1227281416058277888

Quote

Departure!

Tug Hawk and Of Course I Still Love You are underway for the Starlink L4 mission! The droneship is heading ~621 km downrange.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #26 on:** 02/12/2020 06:49 am »

Booster recovery preparations continue

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1227390373170950144

Quote

Departure! OCISLY support ship GO Quest is underway for the Starlink L4 mission. The ship will meet the droneship in a few days time.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #27 on:** 02/12/2020 02:21 pm »

https://twitter.com/nasa_nerd/status/1227613143469301767

Quote

The @45thSpaceWing Launch Hazard Area and Eastern Range Airspace for the 5th launch of SpaceX Starlink satellites

#SpaceX Falcon 9 is targetting a launch from SLC-40 on Feb 15th with a preferred T-0 of approx 10:46am EST with a backup date/time of Feb 16th at 10:25am if required

Edit to add: original PDFs from the 45th website

Elthiryel · « **Reply #28 on:** 02/12/2020 04:03 pm »

L-3 weather forecast is now available.

I believe this is the first time when the criteria that are not included in the main violation probability percentage are pointed out with a separate risk assessments. These are upper-level wind shear, recovery weather and proton flux (never heard about it causing a scrub, actually).

Launch Day:
60% GO, risks: upper-level shear - low, recovery - moderate, proton flux - low

24-Hour Delay:
90% GO, risks: upper-level shear - low, recovery - low, proton flux - low

abaddon · « **Reply #29 on:** 02/12/2020 05:32 pm »

Would "proton flux" be a Starlink constraint?

ugordan · « **Reply #30 on:** 02/12/2020 05:49 pm »

Quote from: Elthiryel on 02/12/2020 04:03 pm

proton flux (never heard about it causing a scrub, actually).

I have a recollection that there was a launch that was scrubbed in the last several years on account of high proton flux. Memory tells me it was an Antares launch, but that could be false. It was a factor in delaying one launch in the past.

Quote from: abaddon on 02/12/2020 05:32 pm

Would "proton flux" be a Starlink constraint?

No, it's usually a launch vehicle constraint as launch vehicles are typically not as resilient to single-event-upsets as spacecraft are, because they don't really need to be (LV mission times are short).

AnalogMan · « **Reply #31 on:** 02/12/2020 06:16 pm »

Quote from: ugordan on 02/12/2020 05:49 pm

Quote from: Elthiryel on 02/12/2020 04:03 pm
proton flux (never heard about it causing a scrub, actually).

I have a recollection that there was a launch that was scrubbed in the last several years on account of high proton flux. Memory tells me it was an Antares launch, but that could be false. It was a factor in delaying one launch in the past.

Yes, it was Antares launching the first Cygnus mission to the ISS under the CRS program (ORB-1). Some details in this news article:

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/01/orbitals-antares-loft-cygnus-orb-1-mission/

abaddon · « **Reply #32 on:** 02/12/2020 06:23 pm »

Quote from: ugordan on 02/12/2020 05:49 pm

Quote from: Elthiryel on 02/12/2020 04:03 pm
proton flux (never heard about it causing a scrub, actually).

I have a recollection that there was a launch that was scrubbed in the last several years on account of high proton flux. Memory tells me it was an Antares launch, but that could be false. It was a factor in delaying one launch in the past.

Quote from: abaddon on 02/12/2020 05:32 pm
Would "proton flux" be a Starlink constraint?

No, it's usually a launch vehicle constraint as launch vehicles are typically not as resilient to single-event-upsets as spacecraft are, because they don't really need to be (LV mission times are short).

Thanks. So, likely an S2 constraint? Can't imagine proton flux is much of anything in atmosphere. Although I guess S1 does go extra atmospheric... so maybe that's also wrong.

Bananas_on_Mars · « **Reply #33 on:** 02/12/2020 07:43 pm »

There‘s a few issues related to proton flux, which to my knowledge is basically the strength of the solar wind.

One issue is surface charging, which builds up electrostatic potential, a discharge can potentially destroy electronics. Which should be more of a concern for a spacecraft with sizeable solar arrays...

Then of course the proton flux ionizes the ionosphere, to much of it is bad for radio signals. I think among others, GPS is affected.

And computer electronics can be affected by higher radiation levels, because errors become more likely.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #34 on:** 02/13/2020 06:08 am »

Fairing capture attempt is on

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1227809787737444352

Quote

Mystery and Mischief have departed under the cover of darkness to join the upcoming #Starlink mission. #SpaceXFleet

Herb Schaltegger · « **Reply #35 on:** 02/13/2020 11:34 am »

Apologies here but was there a static fire for this mission?

quasarquantum · « **Reply #36 on:** 02/13/2020 11:40 am »

Static Fire for the last Starlink launch was one day before planned launch date, so i guess we will see Static Fire tomorrow.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #37 on:** 02/13/2020 03:21 pm »

https://twitter.com/nasa_nerd/status/1227988141920964611

Quote

L-2 Day Launch Mission Execution Forecast for #SpaceX Falcon 9 and #Starlink forecasting a slight improvement. Now calling for a 70% of acceptable conditions Saturday morning and 90% on Sunday. Launch from SLC-40 is targetted for approx 10:46am EST.

rpapo · « **Reply #38 on:** 02/13/2020 04:26 pm »

Quote from: quasarquantum on 02/13/2020 11:40 am

Static Fire for the last Starlink launch was one day before planned launch date, so i guess we will see Static Fire tomorrow.

Now that they are doing the Starlink static fires with the payload attached, they don't need to space the static fire and the launch quite so far apart. In fact, they don't even need to lower the rocket.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #39 on:** 02/13/2020 04:50 pm »

https://twitter.com/emspeck/status/1228012780168663040

Quote

The #SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket scheduled to launch the fifth round of #Starlink satellites is vertical at launch pad 40. @SpaceX targeting liftoff at 10:46 Saturday morning @news6wkmg