SpaceX F9 : Starlink 5 (v1.0 L4) : Feb. 17, 2020 : Master Thread

[zubenelgenubi]

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.

With Falcon 9 now vertical on the pad, BOLO for the static fire.  (BOLO = Be On the Look Out)

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spaceflightnow/status/1228318425002520576

SpaceX has ignited the Merlin main engines for its next Falcon 9 rocket mission for a brief test-firing at Cape Canaveral. We will stand by for confirmation from SpaceX of a successful test. spaceflightnow.com/2020/02/13/liv…

[Chris Bergin]

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1228319568059301893

[RocketLover0119]

Confirmation of good test, targeting launch for Sunday due to poor recovery weather:

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1228325869539610627

Confirms core 56 is being used:

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1228325902527823872

[FutureSpaceTourist]

L-2 launch weather forecast for Sunday is 90% GO

[Tulse]

 How important/useful is the static fire of the booster engines?  If such a test is useful, is anything similar done with the second-stage engines prior to mating?

[Ghoti]

How important/useful is the static fire of the booster engines?  If such a test is useful, is anything similar done with the second-stage engines prior to mating?

Are they still working through the required number of propellant load and engine fire cycles to satisfy the NASA crew "load and go" safety proof?

[gongora]

How important/useful is the static fire of the booster engines?  If such a test is useful, is anything similar done with the second-stage engines prior to mating?

The second stages are static fired at McGregor before going to the launch site.  The boosters are static fired at McGregor and then before each flight.  SpaceX must still find value in the process.  It confirms the health of the ground systems as well as the vehicle.

Are they still working through the required number of propellant load and engine fire cycles to satisfy the NASA crew "load and go" safety proof?

No

[anof]

How important/useful is the static fire of the booster engines?  If such a test is useful, is anything similar done with the second-stage engines prior to mating?

I believe that second stage engines are tested individually then integrated with the second stage and tested again before being sent to the launch site. First stage engines go through the same process and then are static fired at the launch pad.

Are they still working through the required number of propellant load and engine fire cycles to satisfy the NASA crew "load and go" safety proof?

I believe that the 5 NASA "load and go" tests are DM1 static fire, DM1 launch, IFA static fire, IFA launch and DM2 static fire.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

L-1 launch weather forecast, still 90% GO (although now moderate risk from upper-level wind shear)

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/ken_kremer/status/1228795806829948928

For unknown reasons @SpaceX engineers lowered  #Falcon9 back horizontal this afternoon Sat Feb15 with 60 #Starlink sats inside nose cone. Launch still slated for 1025AM  Sun Feb 16. Weather 90% GO but risk of upper altitude shear is "moderate." My prior photo earlier this week

[RocketLover0119]

Standing down from tomorrow to inspect a second stage valve component:


https://mobile.twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1228811526464667648

[Comga]

Static fire of Falcon 9 complete ahead of launching 60 Starlink satellites—due to poor weather in the recovery area tomorrow, now targeting launch on Sunday, February 16 at 10:25 a.m. EST, 15:25 UTC

Standing down from tomorrow’s Starlink launch; team is taking a closer look at a second stage valve component. Now targeting Monday, February 17.
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 15, 2020

The launch window for Starlink missions is instantaneous and the launch time gets 21.5 minutes earlier each day.

That means ~10:03 AM EST = 15:03 UTC Monday Feb 17

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/tskelso/status/1228961755742625792

CelesTrak now has updated pre-launch SupTLEs for the Starlink-5 launch opportunity on Monday, Feb 17, at 15:05:55 UTC, with deployment at 15:20:46.420 UTC.

[PM3]

CelesTrak now has updated pre-launch SupTLEs for the Starlink-5 launch opportunity on Monday, Feb 17, at 15:05:55 UTC, with deployment at 15:20:46.420 UTC.

Launch time bingo:

- T.S. Kesko says 15:05:55
- Stephen Clark says approx. 15:04
- Ben Cooper says 15:03

[Paul_G]

CelesTrak now has updated pre-launch SupTLEs for the Starlink-5 launch opportunity on Monday, Feb 17, at 15:05:55 UTC, with deployment at 15:20:46.420 UTC.

Is this a change to the previous deployment times we have seen, I seem to remember previous deployments around 45 mins in the Southern Hemisphere, 15 mins would have deployment near the UK?

[FutureSpaceTourist]

L-1 launch weather forecast, over 90% GO (still with moderate risk from upper-level wind shear)

[CorvusCorax]

CelesTrak now has updated pre-launch SupTLEs for the Starlink-5 launch opportunity on Monday, Feb 17, at 15:05:55 UTC, with deployment at 15:20:46.420 UTC.

Is this a change to the previous deployment times we have seen, I seem to remember previous deployments around 45 mins in the Southern Hemisphere, 15 mins would have deployment near the UK?

Not even. Typical F9 flights have second stage shutdown at around T+10 minutes, a few hundred miles out in the Atlantik.
T+15 minutes is only 5 minutes at orbital speed. That's not enough to get to England, that's basically right after orbital insertion plus rotating the upper stage and setting it up for deployment.

Looks like this launch won't have any circularisation burns. If that time is correct, it's straight insertion and deployment, like you'd see with dragon.

Maybe we finally get to see the deployment rods become orbital debris life

[Mammutti]

Stream and press kit.

[scr00chy]

Planned mission profile for this launch based on the press kit