SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L16 : KSC LC-39A : 20 Jan 2021 (1302 UTC)

[Jansen]

Discussion thread for Starlink v1.0 Launch 16, the 17th Starlink mission overall.

NSF Threads for Starlink v1.0 Launch 16: Discussion
NSF Articles for Starlink v1.0 Launch 16:
SpaceX launches first Starlink mission of 2021

Successful launch January 20, 2021 at 8:02am EST (13:02 UTC) on Falcon 9 (booster 1051.8 ) from Kennedy Space Center’s LC-39A. ASDS landing successful on Just Read The Instructions, towed by tugboat Hawk.  Fairing recovery from water by Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief was attempted, but appears to have been unsuccessful.

Payload: A batch of 60 Starlink satellites. Deployment orbit of approximately 257x284km.

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

Please use the Starlink Discussion Thread for all general discussion on Starlink.

L2 SpaceX:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=60.0

The Falcon 9 first stage rocket booster supporting this mission previously flew on seven other missions: the SXM-7 mission in December 2020, launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission in June 2019, launch of Crew Dragon’s first demonstration mission in March 2019, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship, which will be located in the Atlantic Ocean. One half of Falcon 9’s fairing previously supported a Starlink mission and the other previously supported two.

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.

[Jakusb]

Chances seem increasing this mission might be plan B if TurkSat 5A does not make it to Florida in time.
With 1060-4 the most likely booster.

[Jansen]

Chances seem increasing this mission might be plan B if TurkSat 5A does not make it to Florida in time.
With 1060-4 the most likely booster.

There is a discussion on that here:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=52191.msg2161408#msg2161408

[Jansen]

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=104255

SpaceX Mission 1544
File: 1828-EX-ST-2020

Profile seems to match a Starlink mission

[Jansen]

Assuming that:

B1060.4 - Turksat 5A
B1063.2 - Transporter-1

The next available booster would be B1049.8 on January 14, with a 50 day booster turnaround.

[LandingZone-1]

Assuming that:

B1060.4 - Turksat 5A
B1063.2 - Transporter-1

The next available booster would be B1049.8 on January 14, with a 50 day booster turnaround.

B1058.5 could fly this mission too.

[Jansen]

Assuming that:

B1060.4 - Turksat 5A
B1063.2 - Transporter-1

The next available booster would be B1049.8 on January 14, with a 50 day booster turnaround.

B1058.5 could fly this mission too.

You’re right.

I just realized that if Turksat 5A launches around January 14 as well, then this launch will probably be around January 23 based on a nine day pad turnaround at SLC-40.

That would be a 48 day turnaround for B1058.5, which has been done before. It’s weather delays that keep bumping turnarounds past the 50 day mark.

Edit: Gotta consider the effect of the holidays on refurbishment though, so I’m not sure which will go up first.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post; my bold:

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

FALCON 9

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral will launch the Turksat 5A communication satellite from pad 40 on January 4 at 8:27pm EST. The launch window stretches to 12:29am. A Falcon 9 will launch the Transporter-1 small-satellite rideshare mission from pad 40 on January 14, likely in the mid-day EST. And a Falcon 9 will launch the seventeenth batch of Starlink internet satellites on January TBD.

[Jansen]

Assuming that:

B1060.4 - Turksat 5A
B1063.2 - Transporter-1

The next available booster would be B1049.8 on January 14, with a 50 day booster turnaround.

With Turksat 5A now scheduled for January 4th, a 9 day pad turnaround on SLC-40 would mean a launch is possible on January 13th. A 49 day booster turnaround for B1049 would be very possible.

[Jansen]

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=104255

SpaceX Mission 1544
File: 1828-EX-ST-2020

Profile seems to match a Starlink mission

The STA has been granted.
https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=265223&x=.

[Raul]

Active NOTAM in MELBOURNE information region south of Australia for Stage2 debris reentry of Starlink V1.0-L16 mission with primary date planned NET January 17 in window between 20:17-21:10 UTC, alternatively January 18 19:55-20:48 UTC.
Typical reentry area for flight profile with double S2 burn and circular deploying orbit.

MELBOURNE (FIR/FIC/ACC/COM/MET)
NOTAM #: F0077/21      Class: International      Status: Active      Issue Date UTC: 01/09/2021 0150      Start Date UTC: 01/17/2021 2017      End Date UTC: 01/18/2021 2048
F0077/21 NOTAMN
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/5229S11212E999
A) YMMM
B) 2101172017 C) 2101182048
D) PRI RE-ENTRY 172017 - 172110
BACKUP RE-ENTRY 181955 - 182048
E) ROCKET LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE
FLW RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENT OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
HAZARDOUS OPS WILL BE CONDUCTED FOR ATMOSPHERIC RE-ENTRY AND
SPLASHDOWN OF LAUNCH VEHICLE FALCON-9 STARLINK V1.0-L16 AND
PARTICIPATING SUPPORT ACFT WI THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
FROM               2943S   06007E
                TO 2455S   06427E
                TO 3845S   08430E
                TO 4512S   09945E
                TO 4946S   11913E
                TO 5042S   13819E
                TO 4850S   15644E
                TO 5146S   15808E
                TO 5442S   14832E
                TO 5620S   13103E
                TO 5552S   10750E
                TO 4911S   08505E
                TO 3432S   06413E TO BEGINNING
F) SFC G) UNL

[Jansen]

Assuming that:

B1060.4 - Turksat 5A
B1063.2 - Transporter-1

The next available booster would be B1049.8 on January 14, with a 50 day booster turnaround.

With Turksat 5A now scheduled for January 4th, a 9 day pad turnaround on SLC-40 would mean a launch is possible on January 13th. A 49 day booster turnaround for B1049 would be very possible.

A launch on the 17th would be a 53 day turnaround for B1049, with ASDS availability a major factor.

[Jansen]

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2671

Confirming LC-39A

[Jansen]

Spaceflight Now confirming

Launch time: 1823 GMT (1:23 p.m. EST)

[zubenelgenubi]

State of play for January on the Space Coast:

Scheduled:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

2021
January 20 Late Jan Mid Jan 17 18 19 - Starlink flight 17 (x60) [v1.0 L16] - Falcon 9-105 (1051.8 S B1049.8) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A - 13:02 ~~14:00 18:23 13:45 13:23
(Starlink: launch 22-26 minutes earlier/day)

NET January 22 NET January 14 21 - Transporter-1: ARCE 1A, ARCE 1B, ARCE 1C, ASELSAT, Astrocast (x5 8), Capella-3 (Whitney 1), Capella-4 (Whitney 2), Charlie, CPOD A (PONSFD A), CPOD B (PONSFD B), CubeL (PIXL 1), Delfi-PQ 1, EASAT, GHGSat-C2 (Hugo), GNOMES 2, Hawk 2A, Hawk 2B, Hawk 2C, ICEYE X8, ICEYE X9, ICEYE X10, IDEASSat, ION-SVC 2 [ION-SVC Laurentius, PULSE], Kepler GEN1 (8–10 sats), Landmapper-Demo6, Landmapper-Demo7, Lemur-2 (x8), LINCS A, LINCS B, (Nanoavionics), Outpost Demonstration 1, PlasmaBrake, Prometheus-2 10 (P2-10), ELaNa 35: PTD 1, RadCube, QPS-SAR 2 (Izanami), SAMSON 1, SAMSON 2, SAMSON 3, SOMP 2b, SpaceBEE (x24), Starlink (x10), SXRS-3 / Sherpa-FX 1 [not detaching: Celestis 17, ELROI, TAGSAT-1/EyeStar-Tag], Umbra-SAR 2001, UVSQ-SAT, XR-1 (may = 1 ICEEYE), YUSAT, Vigoride-1 [AuroraSat-1, Alba Cluster 3 (EASAT-2, Grizu-263a, HADES, Libertylife, LibertyQube 1, Pycubed, Sattla-2, Tartan Artibeus, TRSI 2, Unicorn 1?, Unicorn 2A?, Unicorn 2D?), NUTSAT, SW1FT Quadpack? (LabSat, OrbAstro, SteamSat, SW1FT/SEZ), VZLUsat 2] + multiple satellites - Falcon 9-106 (B1058.5 S B1063.2) - Canaveral SLC-40 - 14:24-15:24 ~~17:00 ~~14:00 14:24 19 -16:16
(SSO: launch time of day invariant through the year)

Late January - Starlink flight 18 (x60) [v1.0 L17] - Falcon 9-107 (B1049.8? S) -  Kennedy LC-39A / Canaveral SLC-40
(Starlink: launch 22-26 minutes earlier/day)

Changes on January 5th
Changes on January 6th
Changes on January 8th
Changes on January 10th
Changes on January 11th
Changes on January 12th
Changes on January 14th
Changes on January 15th
Changes on January 17th
Changes on January 18th
Changes on January 19th
zubenelgenubi

[Raul]

Map of NOTMAR Launch Hazard Areas of Starlink v1.0-L16 mission from LC-39A, valid for primary launch day 17 Jan in window between 18:08-19:26 UTC, or backupr 18 Jan 17:46-19:04 UTC.
Droneship landing on usual location.

130504Z JAN 21
NAVAREA IV 39/21(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   171808Z TO 171926Z JAN, ALTERNATE
   181746Z TO 181904Z JAN
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39-10N 80-37-48W, 29-00-00N 80-14-00W,
      29-15-00N 79-56-00W, 29-17-00N 79-50-00W,
      29-11-00N 79-44-00W, 29-07-00N 79-47-00W,
      28-50-00N 80-02-00W, 28-34-00N 80-22-00W,
      28-30-21N 80-32-58W.
   B. 31-57-00N 76-56-00W, 33-17-00N 76-03-00W,
      33-31-00N 74-59-00W, 33-10-00N 74-36-00W,
      32-27-00N 74-46-00W, 31-42-00N 76-41-00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 182004Z JAN 21.

[Ken the Bin]

In addition to the notice posted above, the NGA also issued this Space Debris notice:

130532Z JAN 21
HYDROPAC 159/21(GEN).
INDIAN OCEAN.
WESTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   172017Z TO 172110Z JAN, ALTERNATE
   181955Z TO 182048Z JAN
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   29-43S 060-07E, 24-55S 064-27E,
   38-45S 084-30E, 45-12S 099-45E,
   49-46S 119-13E, 50-42S 138-19E,
   48-50S 156-44E, 51-46S 158-08E,
   54-42S 148-32E, 56-20S 131-03E,
   55-52S 107-50E, 49-11S 085-05E.
   34-32S 064-13E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 182148Z JAN 21.

[SMS]

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1349461380928311299

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1349475792011603969

Whilst Starship tests in Texas, the Falcon 9 workhorse is preparing to launch more Starlink sats, NET Jan 17.

Just Read the Instructions droneship is heading 633 km downrange, under tow from tug Hawk.

Via @NASASpaceflight Fleetcam: youtu.be/gnt2wZBg89g

[Elthiryel]

According to Next Spaceflight, booster 1051.8 is going to be used for this flight. I find it pretty strange actually, as 1049 has flown for a seventh time earlier, but Michael is a very reliable source for booster assignments. Maybe 1049 is going to fly with Transporter-1 or it just needs more refurbishment for some reason. Anyway, it's going to be a record turnaround of ~35 days.

Next Spaceflight also shows an updated launch time of 14:07 UTC (09:07 AM local). Ben Cooper has also changed the time on his website to "at morning EST", so it seems consistent.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2671

[Raul]

Launch date is postponed to NET 18 Jan between 13:35-14:43 UTC based on this NOTMAR update

142033Z JAN 21
NAVAREA IV 42/21(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   181335Z TO 181443Z JAN, ALTERNATE
   191313Z TO 191421Z JAN
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39-10N 80-37-48W, 29-00-00N 80-14-00W,
      29-15-00N 79-56-00W, 29-17-00N 79-50-00W,
      29-11-00N 79-44-00W, 29-07-00N 79-47-00W,
      28-50-00N 80-02-00W, 28-34-00N 80-22-00W,
      28-30-21N 80-32-58W.
   B. 31-57-00N 76-56-00W, 33-17-00N 76-03-00W,
      33-31-00N 74-59-00W, 33-10-00N 74-36-00W,
      32-27-00N 74-46-00W, 31-42-00N 76-41-00W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 39/21.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 191521Z JAN 21.

[Ken the Bin]

Here's the accompanying Space Debris update:

142048Z JAN 21
HYDROPAC 183/21(GEN).
INDIAN OCEAN.
WESTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   181544Z TO 181627Z JAN, ALTERNATE
   191522Z TO 191605Z JAN
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   29-43S 060-07E, 24-55S 064-27E,
   38-45S 084-30E, 45-12S 099-45E,
   49-46S 119-13E, 50-42S 138-19E,
   48-50S 156-44E, 51-46S 158-08E,
   54-42S 148-32E, 56-20S 131-03E,
   55-52S 107-50E, 49-11S 085-05E.
   34-32S 064-13E.
2. CANCEL HYDROPAC 159/21.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 191705Z JAN 21.

[vaporcobra]

I concur with Stephen here, the move from early Sunday afternoon to early Monday morning definitely implies a significant change in the plane this launch is targeting.

https://twitter.com/StephenClark1/status/1349827653822525445

[SMS]

https://twitter.com/EmreKelly/status/1349825152847122436

[SMS]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1349858305699700736

[Jansen]

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1349871418465538048

[rsdavis9]

I concur with Stephen here, the move from early Sunday afternoon to early Monday morning definitely implies a significant change in the plane this launch is targeting.

https://twitter.com/StephenClark1/status/1349827653822525445

Well roughly 12 hrs later the same plane is in the descending part.
So if we launch to 58deg inclination on the ascending node that is a launch azimuth of 90-58=32deg so the descending node would be 90+58=148deg which would overfly the Bahamas.

[Elthiryel]

L-3 weather forecast is up.

Primary day: 70% GO with a moderate risk of wind shear being too strong and a moderate risk of booster recovery weather being unacceptable

Backup day: 90% GO, all other risks low

[SMS]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1350174766154432512

[Jansen]

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1350076914451570689

[Ken the Bin]

L-2 weather forecast; unchanged from L-3.

[Jansen]

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1350476367733862404

[Jansen]

L-1 forecast is still 70% GO with moderate risk for wind shear and booster recovery weather.

Backup day is still 90% GO.

[Elthiryel]

SpaceX has updated their launches website.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/

Both fairing halves will be flight-proven.

One half of Falcon 9’s fairing previously supported a Starlink mission and the other previously supported two.

Webcast link:

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1350876908867620864

Targeting Monday, January 18 at 8:45 a.m. EST for Falcon 9 launch of 60 Starlink satellites from LC-39A; Falcon 9’s first stage previously supported seven missions. Team is keeping an eye on launch and recovery weather → spacex.com/launches

[Jansen]

SpaceX is targeting Monday, January 18 for its seventeenth Starlink mission, which will launch 60 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center. The instantaneous window is at 8:45 a.m. EST, or 13:45 UTC. A backup opportunity is available on Tuesday, January 19 at 8:23 a.m. EST, or 13:23 UTC.

The Falcon 9 first stage rocket booster supporting this mission previously flew on seven other missions: the SXM-7 mission in December 2020, launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission in June 2019, launch of Crew Dragon’s first demonstration mission in March 2019, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship, which will be located in the Atlantic Ocean. One half of Falcon 9’s fairing previously supported a Starlink mission and the other previously supported two.

SpaceX has officially confirmed B1051.8

[Jansen]

LAUNCH, LANDING, AND DEPLOYMENT

All Times Are Approximate

HR/MIN/SEC   EVENT
00:01:12   Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:32   1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:36   1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:44   2nd stage engine starts
00:03:10   Fairing deployment
00:06:40   1st stage entry burn complete
00:08:26   1st stage landing
00:08:46   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:45:35   2nd stage engine restarts
00:45:36   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:04:32   Starlink satellites deploy

[scr00chy]

Visual mission profile

[Jansen]

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1350877610809688065

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1350878703945965570

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1350919546308325381

Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief have departed from the Port of Morehead City for the Starlink mission! 🚀

[AndrewRG10]

No static fire right? Am I right in saying this is the first time B1051 hasn't static fired before launch?

[scr00chy]

No static fire right? Am I right in saying this is the first time B1051 hasn't static fired before launch?

Yes and yes.

[oldAtlas_Eguy]

No static fire right? Am I right in saying this is the first time B1051 hasn't static fired before launch?

Yes and yes.

It is also the first time a booster has flown 36 days after flying before.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1351002566994386949

Due to unfavorable weather conditions in the recovery area, now targeting Tuesday, January 19 at 8:23 a.m. EST for launch of Starlink

[wannamoonbase]

No static fire right? Am I right in saying this is the first time B1051 hasn't static fired before launch?

Yes and yes.

It is also the first time a booster has flown 36 days after flying before.

My gosh, they are flying along with reuse.  I didn't even realize they had dropped the static fire for this flight. 

36 days is impressive and a nice new milestone too. 

[Jansen]

36 days is impressive and a nice new milestone too.

More so that they did it over the holidays. Could be even faster going forward. 37 days now at the earliest, but theoretically was ready to go at 35 days.

[Jansen]

SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, January 19 for its seventeenth Starlink mission, which will launch 60 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center. The instantaneous window is at 8:23 a.m. EST, or 13:23 UTC.

The Falcon 9 first stage rocket booster supporting this mission previously flew on seven other missions: the SXM-7 mission in December 2020, launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission in June 2019, launch of Crew Dragon’s first demonstration mission in March 2019, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship, which will be located in the Atlantic Ocean. One half of Falcon 9’s fairing previously supported a Starlink mission and the other previously supported two.

New blurb doesn’t have a backup launch date yet.

[gongora]

The NOTMAR has a backup the next day.  Don't see a TFR for backup yet.

180402Z JAN 21
NAVAREA IV 53/21(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   191313Z TO 191421Z JAN, ALTERNATE
   201252Z TO 201400Z JAN
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39-10N 80-37-48W, 29-00-00N 80-14-00W,
      29-15-00N 79-56-00W, 29-17-00N 79-50-00W,
      29-11-00N 79-44-00W, 29-07-00N 79-47-00W,
      28-50-00N 80-02-00W, 28-34-00N 80-22-00W,
      28-30-21N 80-32-58W.
   B. 31-57-00N 76-56-00W, 33-17-00N 76-03-00W,
      33-31-00N 74-59-00W, 33-10-00N 74-36-00W,
      32-27-00N 74-46-00W, 31-42-00N 76-41-00W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 42/21.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 201500Z JAN 21.

[Ken the Bin]

New NGA notice for Space Debris:

180422Z JAN 21
HYDROPAC 218/21(GEN).
INDIAN OCEAN.
WESTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   191522Z TO 191605Z JAN, ALTERNATE
   201501Z TO 201544Z JAN
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   29-43S 060-07E, 24-55S 064-27E,
   38-45S 084-30E, 45-12S 099-45E,
   49-46S 119-13E, 50-42S 138-19E,
   48-50S 156-44E, 51-46S 158-08E,
   54-42S 148-32E, 56-20S 131-03E,
   55-52S 107-50E, 49-11S 085-05E.
   34-32S 064-13E.
2. CANCEL HYDROPAC 183/21.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 201644Z JAN 21.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

[soltasto]

Usual capture "press kit" with OCR

[Ken the Bin]

New L-1 weather forecast.  Both days are 90% 'Go' with low additional risks.

[SMS]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1351218439113895938

[Jansen]

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1351301905474072583

[gongora]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1351361922218799105

To allow additional time for pre-launch inspections, now targeting Wednesday, January 20 at 8:02 a.m. EST for launch of Starlink

[Raul]

New NOTMAR update giving launch dates from January 20 to January 27.

190611Z JAN 21
NAVAREA IV 56/21(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   201252Z TO 201400Z JAN, ALTERNATE
   211230Z TO 211338Z, 221209Z TO 221317Z,
   231147Z TO 231255Z, 241126Z TO 241233Z,
   251104Z TO 251212Z, 261042Z TO 261150Z AND
   271021Z TO 271129Z JAN
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39-10N 80-37-48W, 29-00-00N 80-14-00W,
      29-15-00N 79-56-00W, 29-17-00N 79-50-00W,
      29-11-00N 79-44-00W, 29-07-00N 79-47-00W,
      28-50-00N 80-02-00W, 28-34-00N 80-22-00W,
      28-30-21N 80-32-58W.
   B. 31-57-00N 76-56-00W, 33-17-00N 76-03-00W,
      33-31-00N 74-59-00W, 33-10-00N 74-36-00W,
      32-27-00N 74-46-00W, 31-42-00N 76-41-00W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 53/21.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 271229Z JAN 21.

190621Z JAN 21
HYDROPAC 247/21(GEN).
INDIAN OCEAN.
WESTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   201501Z TO 201544Z JAN, ALTERNATE
   211439Z TO 211522Z, 221418Z TO 221501Z,
   231356Z TO 231439Z, 241335Z TO 241417Z,
   251313Z TO 251356Z, 261251Z TO 261334Z AND
   271230Z TO 271313Z JAN
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   29-43S 060-07E, 24-55S 064-27E,
   38-45S 084-30E, 45-12S 099-45E,
   49-46S 119-13E, 50-42S 138-19E,
   48-50S 156-44E, 51-46S 158-08E,
   54-42S 148-32E, 56-20S 131-03E,
   55-52S 107-50E, 49-11S 085-05E.
   34-32S 064-13E.
2. CANCEL HYDROPAC 218/21.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 271413Z JAN 21.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

L-1 launch weather forecast still 90% GO

[SMS]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1351572205235101697

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/emrekelly/status/1351613395150069760

Falcon 9 has arrived at pad 39A ahead of tomorrow’s 0802 ET Starlink liftoff. Weather 90% go.

[Mat-FoundInSpace]

Falcon 9 has been at the pad since atleast 330pm EST 1/18.

[scr00chy]

Falcon 9 has been at the pad since atleast 330pm EST 1/18.

I thought so too, but it looks like it was rolled back to the HIF at some point.
https://twitter.com/EmreKelly/status/1351622409871364097

[erv]

FWIW, there was this tweet 9 hours ago:


https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1351706319779192832


P.S. I am not sure I post the twitter link correctly

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/emrekelly/status/1351850005892575232

Good morning from Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX is counting down to today’s 0802 ET liftoff of the 17th Starlink mission.

[Jansen]

Falcon 9 has been at the pad since atleast 330pm EST 1/18.

I thought so too, but it looks like it was rolled back to the HIF at some point.

I believe it was rolled back to the HIF for some additional pre-launch inspections in lieu of static fire.

[Jansen]

NSF stream is now live

[FutureSpaceTourist]

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1351866310955839488

LIve from 39A, SpaceX Falcon 9 (B1051. launch of the latest Starlink mission.

Chris Gebhardt (@ChrisG_NSF) is at the launch site.

➡️youtube.com/watch?v=41KyX6…

[jacqmans]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1351870538805743621?s=20

[Rekt1971]

What happened to Steve, btw? I really miss his launch coverage.

[Chris Bergin]

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1351872779335958530

[ddspaceman]

[eeergo]

Will be testing landing wind limits with today's booster recovery.

[kevinof]

Envelope expansion flight - They are going to test a landing in a higher than usual wind condition.

ie: sporty.

[Chris Bergin]

Photo Album for this booster.

[eeergo]

Under T-4 min.

[eeergo]

LOX load complete.

[eeergo]

Clearing the lines on the T/E.

[eeergo]

Startup.

[eeergo]

Liftoff

[eeergo]

MaxQ

[eeergo]

1st stage flight

[eeergo]

MECO, 1-2 separation and Second Stage startup.

[eeergo]

Fairings separated. Starlinks exposed.

[eeergo]

Falling 1st stage, 2nd stage continues onward.

[eeergo]

1st stage AFTS safed, entry burn.

[eeergo]

First stage video cutout, winds?

[eeergo]

Stuck the landing with the life leader. Could see some spray on the water next to the barge, but the vehicle corrected for it.

[eeergo]

Nominal insertion. 35 min coast.

[Chris Bergin]

Showing off now

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1351880040749944832

[jacqmans]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1351880155145273351?s=20

[Jansen]

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1351874803469324291

[jacqmans]

https://twitter.com/EmreKelly/status/1351881998105776129?s=20

[wannamoonbase]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1351880155145273351?s=20

Stuck the landing like an experienced fleet leader!  great launch, really nice to see more Starlink going up and a smooth rapid turnaround of the first stage and more reuse of the payload fairing.

Well done SpaceX team.

[jacqmans]

https://twitter.com/AmberHSlam/status/1351883662699192324?s=20

[jacqmans]

https://twitter.com/Mike_Seeley/status/1351881995127828482?s=20

[Jansen]

Weird that NSF Live ended coverage before payload deployment...

[RocketLover0119]

Weird that NSF Live ended coverage before payload deployment...

Says deploy later this launch, also the crew deserves the short stream, they’ve put the awesome work in and deserve some rest 

(Also potentially some SN9 action later, may have to do with it)

Appreciate the stream we were given regardless.

[RocketLover0119]

Good stage 2 relight and shut down.

[Jansen]

Expected LOS Diego Garcia

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1351890460235739137

Pretty early-morning liftoff of Falcon 9 and the seventeenth Starlink mission.

[Jansen]

Acquisition of signal Tasmania

[RocketLover0119]

Starlink deploy confirmed! Another 60 happy sats on their way. 

[Jansen]

Successful payload deployment just SE of Australia

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1351894372426498049

Deployment of 60 Starlink satellites confirmed

[eeergo]

Deployment of the 60 spacecraft.

[zubenelgenubi]

Some observations leading to satellites deployment:
Solid oxygen "flower" grown on a second stage valve.
"Tiny" Moon passing through camera view as the stage rotated on its pitch axis.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1351900535738142721

With today's launch, Falcon 9 now has the highest number of consecutive fully successful missions of any active orbital-class rocket. Falcon's 77 consecutive successes in a row move it ahead of Atlas V by one mission.

https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1351901482501763074

This tally does include Crew Dragon's Inflight Abort Test, which is a debatable inclusion due to the suborbital nature of the flight. I include it as it utilized a very close to standard Falcon 9. However, if you disagree with it, just wait a few days.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

SpaceX launch photo by Ben Cooper

[FutureSpaceTourist]

More SpaceX photos

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1351913896274128898

[scr00chy]

This launch also marked the shortest time between JRTI landings at 12 days.

[zaitcev]

In the mission video for Starlink L16 it was plainly noticeable that the rocket dialed a significant angle of attack after MaxQ, which continued almost until the separation. The most obvious confirmation that it wasn't just an artifact of the view from the ground came when the booster straightened itself out right before the separation. You can see Earth moving in the background together with the plume becoming symmetric.

Anyone has a good guess what this strange maneuver is for?

The screencaps show the visible angle between the exhaust and the rocket body and the 2 back-to-back captures before and after the moment when the rocket straightened up ahead of the MECO.

[zaitcev]

My personal guess is that one of the Merlins did not come out of the lower throttle setting after MaxQ. The rest of them tilted to compensate. The engine continued to operate at reduced thrust until MECO. As other 8 engines started to throttle down ahead of MECO, their thrust equated that of the underperforming engine and the rocket straightened out.

[the_other_Doug]

Whereas I would guess it's due to upper level winds.  Or a programmed lofting of the trajectory just before MECO, perhaps to shape the F9 first stage's recovery trajectory.

[soltasto]

This happens most of the times, especially for mission with ADSD landings.
My guess is that they take advantage of the little available lift to compensate a bit of gravity losses

[zaitcev]

Thanks. I also thought that the direction of the tilt seemed suspiciously convenient.

[ugordan]

F9 is far from the only rocket that does this, see a very obvious case of Delta II:


That one only had 3 solids so the trajectory shaping was very obvious.

[ZachS09]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1351572205235101697

Per this tweet, I predicted the T0 would be 13:02:22 UTC.

Total mission duration is 1 hour, 4 minutes, 32 seconds. Subtract that from 14:06:54, which gives the T0 estimate.

[wannamoonbase]

Thanks. I also thought that the direction of the tilt seemed suspiciously convenient.

I noticed it too and thought it was the camera angle.  Interesting to know that they can be that flexible on using the vehicle's body.  Pretty cool.

[vaporcobra]

LauncherOne was an extreme example but it also just demonstrated the use of a high-alpha maneuver to generate vertical lift.

[zaitcev]

I noticed it too and thought it was the camera angle.

We can see how the attitude changes a few seconds before MECO, and the plume shape changes with it. So it's most definitely not just the camera. But as others mentioned, this sort of thing is rather common. I just wish to know what the benefit is.

Regarding the interaction with the relative wind, I thought it odd that the program calls for the rocket to tilt to a set angle, stay like that for a good minute, then abruptly return to centered attitude before MECO. If this were an airplane, the angle of attack would be changing gradually according to the airspeed and thickness of the atmosphere.

[SMS]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1352026011219628035

[Vettedrmr]

Regarding the interaction with the relative wind, I thought it odd that the program calls for the rocket to tilt to a set angle, stay like that for a good minute, then abruptly return to centered attitude before MECO. If this were an airplane, the angle of attack would be changing gradually according to the airspeed and thickness of the atmosphere.

You want to zero out the AoA before staging.  And we don't know how gradually the AoA changed during the powered phase, we only know how quickly it zeroes out.

[OneSpeed]

Anyone has a good guess what this strange maneuver is for?

The primary objective getting a rocket to orbit is to gain horizontal velocity as quickly as possible. To that end, Falcon 9 often completes its gravity turn quickly, by around T+01:40. From that point on to MECO, it needs to generate some lift to continue to increase the vertical component of its velocity. Increasing the AoA generates not only some aerodynamic lift, but also a vertical thrust component. Attached is plot of the Starlink L16 boost phase, including the vertical velocity component derived from the altitude telemetry. The noise is very high, but you can still see from the fairly constant slope, that the vertical acceleration is maintained right through the boost phase.

[Steven Pietrobon]

What happened to Steve, btw? I really miss his launch coverage.

I'm still alive and kicking! In order that I can spend more time on my other interests, I decided to retire from providing live launch coverage on NSF.

[zubenelgenubi]

What happened to Steve, btw? I really miss his launch coverage.

I'm still alive and kicking! In order that I can spend more time on my other interests, I decided to retire from providing live launch coverage on NSF.

Thank you very much, Steven, for your voluminous efforts providing live coverage over the years here.
Time for the rest of us to pick up the slack!

[jacqmans]

https://twitter.com/45thSpaceWing/status/1351976158431207429?s=20

[ugordan]

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1352337165615820805

Just Read the Instructions droneship has departed from the Starlink landing zone and is en-route to Port Canaveral.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1352381287332511753

Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief have split up!

Ms. Chief is now arriving at Port Canaveral whilst Ms. Tree is heading straight to the Transporter-1 LZ

Visible on Fleetcam shortly:

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1352386952096600068

Empty 😲

Ms. Chief has returned from the Starlink mission without a fairing half, not even a fragment to be seen.

Ms. Tree is still offshore and heading directly to the Transporter-1 LZ. Not clear if Ms. Chief will head back out soon.

As seen by @NASASpaceflight Fleetcam

[Jansen]

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1352427891225714689

JRTI enroute to port (slowly)

[Jansen]

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1352776360075399170

[cscott]

They showed Ms. Tree at sea during the webcast today for the Transporter-1 scrub.  No fairing half to be seen on deck.

Is it possible they lost both fairing halves from this mission?  Perhaps sea states were bad enough to lose the halves and damage Ms. Chief enough to require a return to port?  Pure speculation.

[Rekt1971]

They showed Ms. Tree at sea during the webcast today for the Transporter-1 scrub.  No fairing half to be seen on deck.

Is it possible they lost both fairing halves from this mission?  Perhaps sea states were bad enough to lose the halves and damage Ms. Chief enough to require a return to port?  Pure speculation.

They showed Ms. Chief, not Ms. Tree.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1353067626390405122

Just Read the Instructions droneship - from the Starlink mission - will be arriving at Port Canaveral tomorrow (24th) sometime after 8:30am ET.

Probably will be later in the day, depending on overnight progress.

[cscott]

They showed Ms. Tree at sea during the webcast today for the Transporter-1 scrub.  No fairing half to be seen on deck.

Is it possible they lost both fairing halves from this mission?  Perhaps sea states were bad enough to lose the halves and damage Ms. Chief enough to require a return to port?  Pure speculation.

They showed Ms. Chief, not Ms. Tree.

Oh! We knew Ms. Chief didn't have fairing halves on board.  Still possible that Ms. Tree has one or two on deck from the starlink launch, then?

[scr00chy]

They showed Ms. Tree at sea during the webcast today for the Transporter-1 scrub.  No fairing half to be seen on deck.

Is it possible they lost both fairing halves from this mission?  Perhaps sea states were bad enough to lose the halves and damage Ms. Chief enough to require a return to port?  Pure speculation.

They showed Ms. Chief, not Ms. Tree.

Oh! We knew Ms. Chief didn't have fairing halves on board.  Still possible that Ms. Tree has one or two on deck from the starlink launch, then?

Correct.

[Oersted]

What happened to Steve, btw? I really miss his launch coverage.

I'm still alive and kicking! In order that I can spend more time on my other interests, I decided to retire from providing live launch coverage on NSF.

Thank you so much, Steven, for your heroic efforts over the years and congratulations on a well-deserved retirement from the intense and stressful world of up-to-the-minute thread updates

- You're leaving some big shoes to fill for your eventual successors once they complete the rigourous NSF selection process and training camp.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1353437043494449153

Getting closer!

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/booster_buddies/status/1353437913472671744

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/kyle_m_photo/status/1353446754352390144

B1051.8, the first eight flight booster is almost back to Port Canaveral. #SpaceXFleet #SpaceX

https://twitter.com/spacecoast_stve/status/1353447194221678595

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1353458964445483012

SpaceX (you may have heard about them by now, heh) saving boosters from a watery grave.

Jan 20:
Launch a Falcon 9.
Land a Falcon 9.

Jan 24
Launch a Falcon 9.
Land a Falcon 9.
Falcon 9 from Jan 20 back to Port Canaveral.

NSF Fleetcam @RustysInThePort ➡️[

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/therealjonvh/status/1353500801960996869

Encore! Congratulations #SpaceX for your first #Falcon9 making it back to Port Canaveral from it's 8th launch and landing from the 17th #Starlink Mission!

📷: me for @gospacelaunch

https://twitter.com/jtgenter/status/1353499508664107015

Welcome home B1051! This booster has successfully flown 8 different missions to space and has safely landed each time!

There was quite a crowd out at the Jetty Park and Port Canaveral to great this record-smashing #SpaceX booster.

Thanks to @SpaceXFleet for tracking the return!

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacecoast_stve/status/1353497119810838529

We have a new champion!

B1051 has now left Earth and returned home a whopping 8 times - more than any other #Falcon9 booster! Even with the landing conditions being somewhat dicey, or as SpaceX put it, "Envelope expanding," B1051 pulled it off like a pro.

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1353484368841478144

Birds and a booster at dinner time. B1051-8 has returned to Port Canaveral onboard JRTI as diners looked on and pelicans came back with their catches.
#SpaceX #SpaceXFleet

[Jansen]

Cap is attached in preparation for movement off ASDS.

[Jansen]

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1353745918038835200

Sister ships GO Ms. Tree and GO Ms. Chief have returned from the Transporter-1 fairing recovery zone with scooped halves. It appears the Starlink fairings were not recoverable

[Jansen]

B1051 is now horizontal

[Jansen]

Capped in preparation for road transport

[FutureSpaceTourist]

From earlier:

twitter.com/kspaceacademy/status/1353924127757905923

SpaceX crews at Port Canaveral are burning the midnight... carbon-neutral methane...? Cranes are in position, and it looks like they may lift to dock and go horizontal shortly.

Yeah, NSF is LIVE. We're leaving this one to the robots 😅
youtube.com/watch?v=gnt2wZ…

https://twitter.com/kspaceacademy/status/1353940928243916801

Was not kidding...

[Jansen]

Booster moving out

[CorvusCorax]

I'm not 100% sure, but this footage seems to be from the L16 launch

https://twitter.com/r2x0t/status/1370030702633312259

if you compare RVAC appearances, there's subtle differences between each of them. Of course some of these (especially foil wrinkles) change as the engine is breathing, and SpaceX stream seems to show a different view angle.  But after comparing the last 8 SpaceX launch webcast, this is the best fit. - it's definitely not from L20 or L21 - the RVACs look different, nor from any other launches after L16.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Here's the view inside the tank, showing floating balls of LOX.

[CorvusCorax]

Here's the view inside the tank, showing floating balls of LOX.

Mesmerizing like a lava-lamp. I could watch these tank contents in zero-g for hours. Almost as good as Texas-tank-watching

Maybe we should code a screensaver "F9S2 LOX tank fluid rendering simulator"