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.
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday June 3 at 9:25 p.m. EDT, 1:25 UTC on June 4, for its eighth launch of Starlink satellites. Falcon 9 will lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. A backup opportunity is available on Thursday, June 4 at 9:03 p.m. EDT, 1:03 UTC on June 5.Falcon 9’s first stage previously supported the Telstar 18 VANTAGE mission in September 2018, the Iridium-8 mission in January 2019, and two separate Starlink missions in May 2019 and in January 2020. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. Approximately 45 minutes after liftoff, SpaceX’s fairing recovery vessels, “Ms. Tree” and “Ms. Chief,” will attempt to recover the two fairing halves.The Starlink satellites will deploy in an elliptical orbit approximately 15 minutes after liftoff. Prior to orbit raise, SpaceX engineers will conduct data reviews to ensure all Starlink satellites are operating as intended. Once the checkouts are complete, the satellites will then use their onboard ion thrusters to move into their operational altitude of 550 km. On this mission, SpaceX will launch the first Starlink satellite with a deployable visor to block sunlight from hitting the brightest spots of the spacecraft. Learn more about our work with leading astronomical groups to mitigate satellite reflectivity.You can watch the launch webcast here, starting about 10 minutes before liftoff.
SpaceX is targeting 9:25pm EDT this evening for the eighth launch of 60 Starlink satellites. This is the fifth flight for this Falcon 9 booster.It also marks the 100th launch I’ve photographed since beginning photography in early 2015! 💯🚀
Launch update: #SpaceX Starlink 8 featuring booster B1049.5 certainly does not have the beauty of the DM-2 booster but she shows that 5 flights is a reasonable expectation. Launch is scheduled for tonight at 9:25pm EDT with 60 more satellites headed for orbit.
Weather conditions at Cape Canaveral are currently observed “red” for launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket tonight due to a violation of the thick cloud rule.Liftoff remains set for 9:25pm EDT (0125 GMT) in hopes conditions improve. spaceflightnow.com/2020/06/03/fal…
Another batch of Starlink satellites beam to orbit from Cape Canaveral atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket this evening — one day before the tenth anniversary of Falcon 9’s first flight.My 100th launch photographed to date! 💯🚀
Into the clouds! The #SpaceX #Falcon9 successfully launched from Cape Canaveral with another batch of #Starlink satellites and became the first booster to land 5 times!
S/C Sep! 60 new Starlink babies are in space!
Night turns into day with the @SpaceX #Starlink7 launch!!! My first time watching from the beach and it was awesome!! 🙌🚀
Night launches, low level clouds. One gorgeous view
Recovery teams are en-route to Just Read the Instructions to secure Falcon 9.
Despite all weather odds #SpaceX Starlink 8 booster 1049.5 made a picture perfect launch & landing on JRTI tonight making it the 1st booster to land 5 different times. Its been quite the week for SpaceX. More pics soon. #NASA #Space
Any news about the fairing ?
Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief departed from the fairing recovery zone at about 5am ET and are now en-route to Port Canaveral.
There is no update on the recovery.Silence has historically meant that SpaceX did not catch it. Still a good chance that they might have scooped it from the water though.
Tracking suggests that Falcon 9 has been secured and that Just Read the Instructions droneship is on the move!Why did it take so long? Crew are not allowed onto the droneship at night so they had to wait until daylight to complete ops.
For the 5th time, the #SpaceX F9 launched from CCAFS LC-40 taking another batch of #Starlink satellites into orbit. It was a beautiful launch & made better by landing on JRTI making 5 flights & recoveries for the 1st time. #NASA #Space
Last few shots from my remote camera at pad 40 CCAFS of #SpaceX #Starlink 8's mission last night. A beautiful launch & an historical mission as B1049.5 landed successfully for a 5th time on JRTI. Have a favorite, let me know? Prints are available. #NASA #Space now time 4 a break!
Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief are 30 minutes from Port Canaveral.
Welcome home Ms Tree and Ms Chief! Catch or no catch, those are some beautiful ships.
@SpaceX Fairing catchers Ms. Chief and Ms. Tree have returned to Port Canaveral. This was in support of the Starlink 7 Mission.@SpaceXFleet
Ms. Tree has returned to port canaveral with a damaged fairing and an up catch net. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX @SpaceXFleet
Ms. Chief has returned to port canaveral with what appears to be an intact fairing and the catch net up. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX @SpaceXFleet
The first piece of Ms. Trees fairing is on the hard. The transport trucks have arrived and the crane is in place to move Ms. Chiefs half. #SpaceXFleet #ouch
bit of coverage from me...I need breakfast. Ms. Chiefs fairing half has been loaded onto the transport truck. Both boats have pulled around to corner to their regular spots. The damaged fairing is sitting on the hard in a heap #SpaceXFleet
Despite it beginning to rain, Ms. Chiefs fairing half just had the tarp removed. It looks undamaged from this side. #SpaceXFleet
Just Read the Instructions droneship is tracking for an arrival time just after dawn ET on Sunday June 7th.
Due to poor weather offshore overnight the arrival time for Just Read the Instructions will be moving later today.The Fleet is still 100km north of the Cape. Looking more like 11 - 5pm ET but hard to say.Updates to follow but I will give a 2 hour arrival notice at a minimum.
Well look who finally gave another ping. I know they look close but there is still a couple of hours till they get to the channel. 4-5pm is still a good rough estimate of Port Canaveral arrival of B1049.5 on JRTI. #SpaceXFleet
I have spotted B1049.5 on the horizon. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX #JRTI
'Just Read the Instructions' droneship arrival time has now moved to ~7pm ET per Canaveral Maritime Pilots.
Look at all of the scorch. B1049.5 is almost here! Hello JRTI!#SpaceXFleet
Love that SOOT! #B1049 #JRTI #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX
THIS is what a five time launched and landed booster looks like. The layers of scorch tell the story of B1049.5 and a company that is continuing to evolve with each mission. #SpaceXFleet #B10495
Fifth flight of 49No filter#SpaceX
Falcon 9 booster 1049.5 has returned to Port Canaveral aboard SpaceX’s “Just Read the Instructions” droneship!This marks the first time SpaceX has successfully recovered a Falcon booster after its fifth flight — and marks the first use of JRTI on the east coast.
Suprise! The new Octagrabber is definately on JRTI and holding B1049.5 firmly. It seems that Octa 1.0 received upgrades and some fresh paint to match the new booster holding superpowers of 2.0#SpaceXFleet #SpaceX #Octagrabber
Some close shots of the new Octagrabber. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX
The B1049.5 returns to port after it's 5th landing.This marks the 1st mission for JRTI on the east coast
The tugboats are moving JRTI into position.#SpaceXFleet
They have finished berthing JRTI and B1049.5. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX
The connections are made. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX
The cap is attached to B1049.5 and it's still on JRTI with Octagrabber attached. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX
The lines to lift the legs are now being lowered. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX
They slid Octagrabber out from under B1049.5, the crane is attached. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX
B1049.5 is airborne, looks like they are putting it on the stand. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX
B1049.5 is on the stand and workers are working on the legs. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX
Published on 8 Jun 2020#SpaceX Falcon 9 turns night into day. Watch to 1:38 to see why night launches are some of our absolute favorite. This was also one of the loudest launches too, Merlin engine rumble amplified by a reflecting cloud layer. In this video we're sharing several RAW camera captures from the SpaceX #Starlink-8 mission. We'll be discussing these shots, cameras, and set-up process combined with additional footage planned for Starlink 9 next week in our next live discussion episode. __Learn more about our work at https://www.cosmicperspective.comView behind-the-scenes footage and join our discussions at https://www.patreon.com/cosmicperspec...
1st Landing leg on left just retracted 130 ET and hoisting hook just reattached to cap 215 pm @PortCanaveral - w beautiful water reflection from 1st 5x recycled #spacex #falcon9 8th #Starlink Launch
Starlink fairing deploy sequence
Tech complete 3rd leg retraction (right) #Falcon9 B1049.5 ar 6 pm ET. Sooty but gorgeous under thick clouds . From 8th #spacex #Starlink launch Jun 3
Sequential retraction 3rd #Falcon9 booster leg (right) in progress B1049.5 @PortCanaveral 535 to 6 PM ET 6/9 w US Flag under gloomy skies as crane crews inspect up close. test crew dragon (left)- from 8th #SpaceX #Starlink launch Jun 3
