SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L22 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 24 March 2021 (0828 UTC)

[Jansen]

Discussion thread for Starlink v1.0 Launch 22

NSF Threads for Starlink v1.0 L22: Discussion
NSF Articles for Starlink v1.0 L22: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/03/falcon-9-starlink-l22-liftoff/

Launched successfully 24 March 2021 at 4:28am EDT (0828 UTC) on Falcon 9 (booster 1060-6) from CCSFS SLC-40. ASDS landing was successful on OCISLY, towed by tugboat Finn Falgout. Recovery support ship was GO Quest. Fairing recovery from the water by MV Shelia Bordelon was successful.

Payload: A batch of 60 Starlink satellites. Expected deployment orbit of approximately 284x258 km.

The Falcon 9 first stage rocket booster supporting this mission previously supported launch of the GPS-III Space Vehicle 03 and Turksat 5A missions in addition to three Starlink missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship, which will be located in the Atlantic Ocean. One half of Falcon 9’s fairing supported the Sentinel-6A mission and the other supported a previous Starlink mission.

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

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

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 to near global coverage of the populated world by 2021. Additional information on the system can be found at starlink.com.

[Jansen]

1896-EX-ST-2020 Starlink RF Mission 5-1 STA application

1896-EX-ST-2020 Starlink RF Mission 5-1 Grant

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post and bump; my bold:

http://www.launchphotography.com/Launch_Viewing_Guide.html Updated March 3

FALCON 9
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral will launch the twentieth Starlink internet satellite batch from pad 39A on March 4 at either 3:24am or 5:42am EST. Then, a Falcon 9 will launch the twenty-first Starlink batch from pad 40 on March 7 at 10:41pm EST. The launch time for Starlink missions gets approx. 20-22 minutes earlier each day. A Falcon 9 will launch the twenty-second Starlink batch from pad 39A on March TBD. Upcoming launches include Starlink batches on March TBD. The next Crew Dragon carrying four astronauts to the International Space Station is targeted for late April around 6am EDT. Sunrise is 6:49am. The launch time gets 22-26 minutes earlier each day.

[oldAtlas_Eguy]

For a flight in March there are 2 boosters available. But one of them them would be used by L21 leaving the other available to be used by L22.

The primary  restriction is site resources. SpaceX Navy/ASDS availability and the pad turnaround of a nominal 11 to 14 days for a launch of ~24 March to the very end of March. Based on when L20 actually launches.

[zubenelgenubi: Manifest discussion cross-posted and continues in dedicated thread here.]

[zubenelgenubi]

SFN Launch Schedule, dated March 9:
Confirms launch from CCSFS SLC-40.
No mention yet of the first stage to be used, static fire or no static fire, or launch date.

[Jansen]

SpaceX has at least two more Starlink missions scheduled for launch before the end of March, and possibly more.

https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/03/11/spacex-adds-more-satellites-to-starlink-internet-fleet/

[Elthiryel]

According to Next Spaceflight, this launch is now planned for March 21, 05:37 UTC (1:37 AM local) from SLC-40.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2677

[Raul]

There is active NOTAM in MELBOURNE information region for Stage2 reentry, corresponding to primary launch date NET 21 Mar 04:37 UTC, with backup date 22 Mar 4:16 UTC.

MELBOURNE (FIR/FIC/ACC/COM/MET)
NOTAM #: F0817/21   Class: International   Status: Active   Issue Date UTC: 03/11/2021 2210   Start Date UTC: 03/21/2021 0541   End Date UTC: 03/22/2021 0757
F0817/21 NOTAMN
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/5100S10804E999
A) YMMM
B) 2103210541 C) 2103220757
D) 2103210541 TO 2103210818
   2103220520 TO 2103220757
PRI REENTRY 210321
E) US ROCKET SPACE DEBRIS
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-L22 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

[oldAtlas_Eguy]

According to Next Spaceflight, this launch is now planned for March 21, 05:37 UTC (1:37 AM local) from SLC-40.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2677

Since booster availability would make it very interesting if another launch was done after this in March. This should be the last for March.

But this launch in the ~last week of March would make the total for Q1 2021 at 9 launches.

[Jansen]

SpaceFlight Now is confirming date and time.

March 21
Starlink V1.0-L22
Launch time: 0437 GMT (12:37 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida

[zubenelgenubi]

For a flight in March there are 2 boosters available. But one of them them would be used by L21 leaving the other available to be used by L22.

Cross-post re: Starlink v1.0 Flight 21:

Targeting Sunday, March 14 at 6:01 a.m. EDT for Falcon 9's next launch of 60 Starlink satellites. The first stage booster supporting this mission has completed eight flights to date.

= 10:01 March 14 UTC
B1051.9 (1st ninth use)

For a March 21 launch, the Falcon 9 first stage must be 1060.6.
As of March 21, available 1st stages, previous landing to launch:
1060.6 = 45 days
1049.9 = 17 days
1058.7 = 10 days
1063.2 = not yet available?

State of play on the Space Coast for the immediate future:

Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)
2021
March 24 NET late 21 22 23 - Starlink flight 23 (x60) [v1.0 L22] - Falcon 9-112 (B1060.6 S) - Canaveral SLC-40 - 08:58 04:37 22:19 21:58
(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)

NET very late March or early April? - Starlink flight 24 (x60) [v1.0 L23] - Falcon 9-113 (S) - Kennedy LC-39A / Canaveral SLC-40?
(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)

NET April 22 - USCV-2: Dragon v2 Crew 2 - Falcon 9 (B1061.2 S) - Kennedy LC-39A - 10:11
(ISS flights: launch 22-26 minutes earlier/day)

April Q2 - Starlink flight 25 (x60) [v1.0 L24] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A?
(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)

April Q2 - Starlink flight 26 (x60) [v1.0 L25] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A?
(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)

April? Q2 - Starlink flight 27 (x60) [v1.0 L26] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A?
(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)

Changes on March 9th
Changes on March 11th
Changes on March 12th
Changes on March 13th
Changes on March 16th
Changes on March 18th
Changes on March 19th
zubenelgenubi

[vaporcobra]

For a March 21 launch, the Falcon 9 first stage must be 1060.6.
As of March 21, available 1st stages, previous landing to launch:
1060.6 = 45 days

Next Spaceflight confirmed B1060 https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2677

[Mat-FoundInSpace]

Ben Cooper lists this launch as TBD now...

Next Spaceflight has it moved to 3/22 619pm EDT, suggesting a different orbital plane
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2677

[Ken the Bin]

Overnight I received these NGA notices which are for the original March 21 launch date.

Primary Day = Sunday, March 21 at ~04:37 UTC.
Backup Day = Monday, March 22 at ~04:16 UTC.

160415Z MAR 21
NAVAREA IV 226/21(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   210332Z TO 210630Z MAR, ALTERNATE
   220311Z TO 220609Z MAR
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-38-55N 080-37-38W, 29-23-00N 079-48-00W,
      29-15-00N 079-38-00W, 28-35-00N 080-20-00W,
      28-30-59N 080-33-16W.
   B. 31-44-00N 077-14-00W, 33-17-00N 076-03-00W,
      33-31-00N 074-59-00W, 33-10-00N 074-36-00W,
      32-27-00N 074-46-00W, 31-25-00N 076-56-00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 220709Z MAR 21.

160351Z MAR 21
HYDROPAC 835/21(61,75,76).
SOUTHERN INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 03, DNC 04, DNC 05.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   210541Z TO 210818Z MAR, ALTERNATE
   220520Z TO 220757Z MAR
   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 220857Z MAR 21.

[Jansen]

Next Spaceflight has it moved to 3/22 619pm EDT, suggesting a different orbital plane
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2677

SpaceFlight Now confirms the new date/time

[Raul]

Valid NOTMAR messages of launch NET 22 March 22:19 UTC
Alternative launch days: 23 Mar 21:58 | 24 Mar 21:36 | 25 Mar 21:15 | 26 Mar 20:53 | 27 Mar 20:31 | 28 Mar 20:10 | 29 Mar 19:48

161657Z MAR 21
NAVAREA IV 228/21(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   222204Z TO 222342Z MAR, ALTERNATE
   232143Z TO 232331Z, 242121Z TO 242259Z,
   252100Z TO 252237Z, 262038Z TO 262216Z,
   272016Z TO 272156Z, 281955Z TO 282133Z
   AND 291933Z TO 292111Z MAR
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-38-55N 080-37-38W, 29-23-00N 079-48-00W,
      29-15-00N 079-38-00W, 28-35-00N 080-20-00W,
      28-30-59N 080-33-16W.
   B. 31-44-00N 077-14-00W, 33-17-00N 076-03-00W,
      33-31-00N 074-59-00W, 33-10-00N 074-36-00W,
      32-27-00N 074-46-00W, 31-25-00N 076-56-00W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 226/21.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 292211Z MAR 21.

161715Z MAR 21
HYDROPAC 841/21(61,75,76).
SOUTHERN INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 03, DNC 04, DNC 05.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   230013Z TO 230130Z MAR, ALTERNATE
   232352Z TO 240119Z, 242330Z TO 250047Z,
   252309Z TO 260025Z, 262247Z TO 270004Z,
   272225Z TO 272344Z, 282204Z TO 282321Z
   AND 292142Z TO 292259Z MAR
   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 835/21.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 292359Z MAR 21.

Map of Launch Hazard Areas, with ASDS landing for B1060.6 ~615km downrange, fairing recovery ~667km downrange and S2 reentry south of Australia, implied double S2 burn launch profile.

[Ken the Bin]

One day postponement per new NGA notices.  Launch times remain what Raul posted above with March 23 as the new Primary Day.

181650Z MAR 21
NAVAREA IV 236/21(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   232143Z TO 232331Z MAR, ALTERNATE
   242121Z TO 242259Z, 252100Z TO 252237Z,
   262038Z TO 262216Z, 272016Z TO 272156Z,
   281955Z TO 282133Z AND 291933Z TO 292111Z MAR
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-38-55N 080-37-38W, 29-23-00N 079-48-00W,
      29-15-00N 079-38-00W, 28-35-00N 080-20-00W,
      28-30-59N 080-33-16W.
   B. 31-44-00N 077-14-00W, 33-17-00N 076-03-00W,
      33-31-00N 074-59-00W, 33-10-00N 074-36-00W,
      32-27-00N 074-46-00W, 31-25-00N 076-56-00W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 228/21.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 292211Z MAR 21.

181707Z MAR 21
HYDROPAC 863/21(61,75,76).
SOUTHERN INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 03, DNC 04, DNC 05.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   232352Z TO 240119Z MAR, ALTERNATE
   242330Z TO 250047Z, 252309Z TO 260025Z,
   262247Z TO 270004Z, 272225Z TO 272344Z,
   282204Z TO 282321Z AND 292142Z TO 292259Z MAR
   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 841/21.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 292359Z MAR 21.

[Jansen]

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1372681746995625984

[Jansen]

https://twitter.com/Kyle_M_Photo/status/1372661451878436865

Fairing half on deck is a pretty good indicator it will be used for recovery

[Jansen]

Ben Cooper confirming new day/time:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral will launch the Starlink 22 internet satellite batch on March 23 at 5:58pm EDT