SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L7 : June 3/4, 2020 : Discussion

[gongora]

Discussion thread for Starlink v1.0 Flight 7.

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

NSF Threads for Starlink v1.0 Flight 7: Discussion / Updates

NSF News Articles for Starlink:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/?s=Starlink

June 3, 2020 at approximately 9:25pm EDT (01:25 UTC on June 4) on Falcon 9 (booster 1049.5) from SLC-40.  ASDS landing on the newly remodeled JRTI is expected.  Targeting deployment orbit of 190x380km.

Payload: A batch of 60 Starlink satellites.  At least one should be a "VisorSat" with the new sunshade to help reduce the brightness of the satellites as seen from the ground.

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:

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.

[scr00chy]

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral will launch the next batch of 60 Starlink
satellites from pad 40 on early May TBA

http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html

[Elthiryel]

Booster 1049 is going to be used for the fifth time during this flight.

Source: https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2572

Previous missions:
Telstar 18 VANTAGE - September 2018
Iridium-8 - January 2019
Starlink-1 (V0.9) - May 2019
Starlink-3 (V1.0 L2) - January 2020

[PM3]

May 7, 11:30 UTC (7:30 am EDT)

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

[gongora]

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1254818901944344576

Elon Musk is giving a presentation at a public meeting of an Astro2020 astrophysics decadal survey cmte meeting on efforts to mitigate brightness of Starlink satellites. First “VisorSat” satellites, with sunshade to block reflections off antennas, planned to be on next launch.

https://twitter.com/CatHofacker/status/1254821075176886285

Elon Musk giving a short presentation at a meeting for the Astro 2020 decadal, says we'll have a "VisorSat" on the next Starlink launch that has a sunshade to reduce the satellites' brightness.

[Mammutti]

ATLANTIC OCEAN - FLORIDA - CAPE CANAVERAL: EASTERN RANGE OP# X0056 STARLINK V1.0-L7

Eastern range will be conducting hazardous operations surface to unlimited within portions of Warning Areas W497A, W497B, W137F/G, W138E,
W139E/F, W140E, W122 and the following Hazard Areas.
From 2836 55.22N 8036 0.35W
TO 2848N 8024W
TO 2854N 8017W
TO 2917N 7949W
TO 2915N 7946W
TO 2841N 8017W
TO 2834N 8025W
TO 2831N 8031W
TO 2830 25.65N 8033 0.42W to beginning
From 3158N 7658W
TO 3309N 7558W
TO 3323N 7536W
TO 3323N 7456W
TO 3315N 7437W
TO 3248N 7435W
TO 3229N 7459W
TO 3140N 7642W to beginning
Hazard periods for primary launch day and backup launch days;
Primary launch day: 07 / 1110Z thru 07 / 1237Z May 20. Preferred T-0 is 1115Z.
Backup launch day (1): 08 / 1050Z thru 08 / 1217Z May 20. Preferred T-0 is 1055Z.
Backup launch day (2): 09 / 1023Z thru 09 / 1210Z May 20. Preferred T-0 is 1023Z.
Backup launch day (3): 10 / 1001Z thru 10 / 1148Z May 20. Preferred T-0 is 1001Z.
Backup launch day (4): 11 / 0940Z thru 11 / 1127Z May 20. Preferred T-0 is 0940Z.
Backup launch day (5): 12 / 0918Z thru 12 / 1105Z May 20. Preferred T-0 is 0918Z.
Backup launch day (6): 13 / 0856Z thru 13 / 1043Z May 20. Preferred T-0 is 0856Z

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/lnms/lnm07172020.pdf

[paul2k19]

Apparently launch has been delayed (nextspaceflight)

[Elthiryel]

Ben Cooper has also changed the date from "May 7" to "May TBA", so that confirms the delay.

[PM3]

May 18
07:09-08:09 UTC (3:09-4:09 a.m. EDT)

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

[jketch]

I'm surprised this is launching so close to DM-2 given that both are ASDS landings. There are only nine days to return the Starlink 8 booster to port, unload it, and get to the DM-2 booster landing site.

[Nevyn72]

I'm surprised this is launching so close to DM-2 given that both are ASDS landings. There are only nine days to return the Starlink 8 booster to port, unload it, and get to the DM-2 booster landing site.

If only they had a second ASDS available*...... 

* Will JRTI be ready by then?

[AndrewRG10]

I'm surprised this is launching so close to DM-2 given that both are ASDS landings. There are only nine days to return the Starlink 8 booster to port, unload it, and get to the DM-2 booster landing site.

Nusantara Satu and DM-1 were just 8 days apart, they managed to do it but it was a very quick turn around from booster unloading to departure. They should be able to do a 9 day turnaround and a delay of 3 days should help them. But it would be a lot more helpful to have JRTI used this mission.

[atsf90east]

I'm surprised this is launching so close to DM-2 given that both are ASDS landings. There are only nine days to return the Starlink 8 booster to port, unload it, and get to the DM-2 booster landing site.

If only they had a second ASDS available*...... 

* Will JRTI be ready by then?

A Starlink booster recovery would be the perfect post-retrofit shakedown

[wannamoonbase]

I'm surprised this is launching so close to DM-2 given that both are ASDS landings. There are only nine days to return the Starlink 8 booster to port, unload it, and get to the DM-2 booster landing site.

If only they had a second ASDS available*...... 

* Will JRTI be ready by then?

A Starlink booster recovery would be the perfect post-retrofit shakedown

Yeah, lets see what tricks they are installing on JRTI.

I have a theory, based on no information, that they are developing Super ASDS information to prepare for Super Heavy down range recovery.

[gongora]

I'm surprised this is launching so close to DM-2 given that both are ASDS landings. There are only nine days to return the Starlink 8 booster to port, unload it, and get to the DM-2 booster landing site.

If only they had a second ASDS available*...... 

* Will JRTI be ready by then?

A Starlink booster recovery would be the perfect post-retrofit shakedown

Yeah, lets see what tricks they are installing on JRTI.

I have a theory, based on no information, that they are developing Super ASDS information to prepare for Super Heavy down range recovery.

This is starting to wander a bit too far from the thread topic.

[Raul]

According Stage2 Debris Reentry NOTAM in Mazatlan Oceanic area it looks to be NET May 17.

MAZATLAN OCEANIC FIR
NOTAM #: A2521/20      Class: International      Start Date UTC: 05/17/2020 0857      End Date UTC: 05/19/2020 0920      Status: Active
A2521/20 NOTAMN
Q) MMFO/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/
A) MMFO
B) 2005170857
C) 2005190920
D) 0857/1003 DAY 17 MAY
   0836/0942 DAY 18 MAY
   0814/0920 DAY 19 MAY
E) DANGEROUS AREA FOR REENTRY OF ROCKET FALCON-9
   LATERAL LIMIT: AREA FORMED BY THE UNION OF THE FOLLOWING POINTS:
                  05 00 00N  120 00 00W
                  11 24 43N  120 00 00W
                  16 19 00N  114 48 00W
                  15 16 00N  113 01 00W
                  07 44 00N  116 14 00W
                  05 50 17N  117 24 06W
                  05 00 00N  120 00 00W
F) GND
G) UNL

[Elthiryel]

According to the Spaceflight Now Launch Schedule, the launch is NET May 17 (which confirms information inferred from the NOTAM), approximately 08:00 UTC.

They also added a comment:

Updated to clarify the possibility of launching May 17, assuming range availability.

Atlas V 501 is slated to launch on May 16 (precise launch time unknown) with OTV-6 mission, which may affect range availability.

Ben Cooper has also adjusted launch time on his website.

http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html

May 17 at the very earliest, around 3:30-4am EDT

[zubenelgenubi]

Re: Eastern Range support May 16/May 17

They can support CC/KSC launches separated by less than 24 hours.  How much less, I don't know.

Falcon launches (from CC/KSC only?) no longer require range radar support for range safety.  Velocity (speed and direction) is computed, and compared to the computed trajectory, on board the LV via GPS.

Seeking clarification and/or correction.  Confirmation would be nice, too.

[Hummy]

Next launch satellites are going to be the first to start rolling during orbit raising to reduce visibility.

[The Roadie]

Next launch satellites are going to be the first to start rolling during orbit raising to reduce visibility.

Source?