SpaceX F9 : SXM-8 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 6 June 2021 (0426 UTC)

[OneSpeed]

There is not much to separate the telemetry for SXM-7 and SXM-8. The biggest difference I see is that the SXM-8 second stage flew with a bit more loft, but to the same injection parameters.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1401535389337198601

Falcon 9 launches SXM-8 to orbit – SpaceX’s 125th successful mission

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1401543921252044801

Falcon's Fury

Nine Merlin engines pushing the @SIRIUSXM SXM-8 satellite into orbit from LC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

NSF recap of the mission:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/06/sxm8-launch/

[daveglo]

There is not much to separate the telemetry for SXM-7 and SXM-8. The biggest difference I see is that the SXM-8 second stage flew with a bit more loft, but to the same injection parameters.

Ken the Bin noted earlier that the updated timeline showed the fairing deployment some 14 seconds earlier on SXM-8 compared to SXM-7.  Maybe the increased lofting allowed the earlier fairing deploy?  I wonder if that helps with fairing recovery by reducing re-entry velocity?

[Conexion Espacial]

Another photo for Launch.
By: SpaceX

[Starship_SpaceX]

There is no sound insulation cotton on the fairing

[ZachS09]

There is no sound insulation cotton on the fairing

Didn't pay attention to that detail. Good catch.

[cpushack]

There is no sound insulation cotton on the fairing

Didn't pay attention to that detail. Good catch.

Indeed, usually its only Starlink missions that omit the acoustic tiles.  There is nothing preventing other satellites though from being made compatible with that same acoustic environment though.  It does save mass

[ZachS09]

But why else do Starlink missions eliminate the acoustic tiles besides shave off dry mass?

[Tommyboy]

But why else do Starlink missions eliminate the acoustic tiles besides shave off dry mass?

They're porous so probably absorb water after landing, requiring a lot of time to remove, clean, and replace with new insulation. Also more weight in the fairing (especially when waterlogged) increasing risk of damage when lifting/transporting.

[Rondaz]

The SXM-8 radio broadcasting satellite has been cataloged in a sub-synchronous transfer orbit of 235 x 19384 km x 27.0 deg. The heavy 7 tonne satellite is  mostly propellant and will use its own engine to first raise apogee and then perigee to GEO altitude (~35800 km)

https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1401587235087024130

[Lars-J]

But why else do Starlink missions eliminate the acoustic tiles besides shave off dry mass?

They're porous so probably absorb water after landing, requiring a lot of time to remove, clean, and replace with new insulation. Also more weight in the fairing (especially when waterlogged) increasing risk of damage when lifting/transporting.

Another contributing factor could be that they have been collecting data on the Starklink missions and now know that the extra acoustic tiles are unnecessary - at least for this kind of payload.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1401678420929568768

Because you need more Falcons and Fleet in your day, no, really, you do, Finn Falgout and JRTI have left the LZ with B1061. It will be a few days before they arrive giving OCISLY more time to continue prepping for departure. #SpaceXFleet

[edkyle99]

100th Falcon 9 v1.2 launched, and 100th success.  A 101st v1.2 was lost with AMOS 6 in the 2016 pre-static firing propellant loading explosion at SLC 40.

 - Ed Kyle

[su27k]

https://twitter.com/Maxar/status/1401516577288249347

[1 of 2] The Maxar-built SXM-8 geostationary satellite for @SIRIUSXM is performing as expected after a successful launch on a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket early this morning and will now commence with on orbit commissioning.

https://twitter.com/Maxar/status/1401516796717506560

[2 of 2] Shortly after launch, SXM-8 deployed its solar arrays, confirmed communications with the ground stations and began firing its thrusters to start its journey to its final orbit.

[Jansen]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1402013878859542533

GO Searcher and GO Navigator are due to arrive at Port Canaveral tomorrow morning around/after dawn, with the fairing halves from the SXM-8 mission.

Expecting to see JRTI and B1061 early Wednesday. (Subject to change)

[Rondaz]

GO Searcher and GO Navigator are about 90 minutes away from arriving at Port Canaveral.

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1402187278286569472

[Rondaz]

GO Navigator and GO Searcher have returned with the fairing halves from the SXM-8 mission. Bonus view of people for scale showing you could host quite a party in a fairing half.

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1402227094113947652

[Rondaz]

JRTI and B1061 will be within the vicinity of Port Canaveral from around midnight tonight. They can than set up for an arrival around dawn tomorrow.

OCISLY droneship is currently occupying the parking space for JRTI so needs to be moved or depart before JRTI arrival can happen.

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1402394486806884355

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1402551208959750144

Just Read the Instructions and B1061 are just offshore and it looks like arrival is being timed for about 6am ET.

OCISLY is still occupying the booster unloading dock so perhaps JRTI will be berthed elsewhere.