I would not be surprised if reducing ASDS recovery time is the prime driver here and we start seeing similar optimizations also in other launches - any spare first stage perf goes towards reducing the downrange distance even when there is not enough perf to do a land landing.
There is no spare performance on Starlink launches. It is only external launches that have margins for contingency.
The boostback is necessary to reduce landing weight, as the F9 does not dump fuel like as airliner. Reducing ASDS travel time is just an extra benefit. This is common on CRS launches.
I would not be surprised if reducing ASDS recovery time is the prime driver here and we start seeing similar optimizations also in other launches - any spare first stage perf goes towards reducing the downrange distance even when there is not enough perf to do a land landing.
There is no spare performance on Starlink launches. It is only external launches that have margins for contingency.
The boostback is necessary to reduce landing weight, as the F9 does not dump fuel like as airliner. Reducing ASDS travel time is just an extra benefit. This is common on CRS launches.
Except that CRS-21 didn't do a boostback burn.
L-2 now 70% GO on primary and backup days, with low risk on additional criteria
Dragon Attached to Falcon 9 Ahead of Next Launch to Station
Danielle Sempsrott Posted on June 1, 2021
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft that will fly on the company’s 22nd commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station is now ready for its journey to space. On Thursday, May 27, teams transported the spacecraft from SpaceX’s processing facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station into the hangar at nearby Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A, where it was attached to the Falcon 9 rocket.
Today, June 1, the rocket – with Dragon atop – was rolled out to the launch pad, where it will be raised to a vertical position in preparation for launch. Liftoff of the Falcon 9 is scheduled for 1:29 p.m. EDT on Thursday, June 3. Packed with supplies and payloads bound for the orbiting laboratory, Dragon will deliver critical materials that will directly support dozens of the more than 250 science and research investigations that will occur during Expeditions 65 and 66.
Tune in to NASA TV or the agency’s website for live coverage of prelaunch activities, beginning tomorrow at 11 a.m.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacexcrs22/2021/06/01/dragon-attached-to-falcon-9-ahead-of-next-launch-to-station/
Erection in progress...
EDIT: now vertical
Credit: Spaceflight Now Livestream
L-1 launch weather forecast now only 60% GO
Technically, there is still a little bit of time, but it's starting to look like SpaceX is skipping the static fire for this launch. That would be a first for a new booster.
Technically, there is still a little bit of time, but it's starting to look like SpaceX is skipping the static fire for this launch. That would be a first for a new booster.
Given all new boosters have gone through a full-duration qualification firing at McGregor, it seems a little surprising it took them this long. On the flip side, they haven't been that many new boosters for a while!
LAUNCH, LANDING, AND DEPLOYMENT
All Times Approximate
HR/MIN/SEC EVENT
00:01:12 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:26 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:30 1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:37 2nd stage engine starts
00:02:43 1st stage boostback burn begins
00:05:52 1st stage entry burn begins
00:07:41 1st stage landing
00:08:39 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO)
00:11:52 Dragon separates from 2nd stage
"Press kit" capture with OCR
Prelaunch conference has started:
Visual mission profile by ElonX.net