SpaceX F9 : Starlink v1.0 L26 : KSC LC-39A : 15 May 2021 (2256 UTC)

[cpushack]

Capella off first, in contrast to the prelaunch press info

It could also be that the production team got it reversed. Don’t think the payload names were called out on the mission control feed.

They confirmed they announced them backwards

[ugordan]

Original ITU filing for Tyvak-0130 had 37deg 500km

Capella  6  will  be  launched  in  May  2021,  on  a  53deg  orbit  at  an altitude between 550km and 600km.

It seems logical that Tyvak-0130 would deploy first into a lower orbit, but I’m not an expert on orbital mechanics.

They end up in the same orbit regardless since there are no propulsive maneuvers by the 2nd stage between deployments.

The orbit is 581.1 by 569.2 km, not quite circular.

Doesn't matter, deployment velocity is minimal so they're all on that same orbit.

[Comga]

Very nice!

I had not noticed this on previous Starlink launches but the rotation rate before Starlink deployment was considerable.
Immediately after the satellites deploy the second stage halts it's rotation.
Obviously this has happened on previous deployments as the Starlink stacks drift away as they have always done, without leaving the field of view of the camera.

All that's left for a perfect launch is to hear about fairing recovery, second stage deorbit., and a good grip with the Octograbber.

[jimothytones]

great visibility on S2 from eastern massachusetts tonight. went by about 30⁰ above the horizon, to the north, about 10-15 minutes after starlink deployment. flared really brightly at one point, could have either been the tumble or LOX venting.

[Kabloona]

Starlinks and S2 just passed from northwest to north of Boston suburbs. Came into view from northwest at about 9 minutes after deploy.

Visible with the naked eye, and I was able to track with binocs for about 5 minutes until my arms got tired.

[jimothytones]

how was the view with binoculars? could you make out any distinct vehicles?

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/capellaspace/status/1393762559275061255

We have officially made first contact with our #SAR satellite following today's mission with @SpaceX.

The satellite is in good health and will now undergo commissioning. We look forward to sharing our first light images. Until then enjoy a #SpaceSelfie from LC39A!

[FutureSpaceTourist]

SpaceX launch photos by Ben Cooper

[erv]

Very nice!

I had not noticed this on previous Starlink launches but the rotation rate before Starlink deployment was considerable.
Immediately after the satellites deploy the second stage halts it's rotation.
Obviously this has happened on previous deployments as the Starlink stacks drift away as they have always done, without leaving the field of view of the camera.

All that's left for a perfect launch is to hear about fairing recovery, second stage deorbit., and a good grip with the Octograbber.

I noticed the same on previous Starlink launch. Maybe they have increased the rate lately. Or not

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacecoast_stve/status/1393739915305918464

Falcon 9 basks in the evening sun - the 8th trip for this booster which first launched Bob and Doug nearly a year ago.

The first stage pulled off yet another landing downrange on Of Course I Still Love You.

nasaspaceflight.com/2021/05/spacex…

[Kabloona]

how was the view with binoculars? could you make out any distinct vehicles?

Kind of shaky because I didn't have a tripod. I was hoping to see a fan-out of Starlinks, but I could only make out one blob of light, which I guess was S2 as you said.

Viewing conditions weren't ideal here as you know, because the sky wasn't completely dark yet.

[OneSpeed]

Here is a comparison between the telemetry from Starlink L27 and L26.

Some differences are:

1. Acceleration is generally higher for L26, as you would expect for a lighter payload.
2. The L26 S1 time-line is compressed somewhat, especially for the drone-ship landing.
3. The L26 S2 profile is less lofted up to SECO, but the apogee after insertion is of course much higher.

[TripD]

Very informative graphs. and a big YIKES!.  Are you parsing out the data from these launches via readouts? If so, you da man! 

[Perchlorate]

Here is a comparison between the telemetry from Starlink L27 and L26.

Some differences are:

1. Acceleration is generally higher for L26, as you would expect for a lighter payload.
2. The L26 S1 time-line is compressed somewhat, especially for the drone-ship landing.
3. The L26 S2 profile is less lofted up to SECO, but the apogee after insertion is of course much higher.

Thanks; I always enjoy these.  How much trouble would it be to add the additional y-axis labels for altitude and acceleration?

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/tskelso/status/1394022537391005697

CelesTrak has ephemeris-based SupTLEs for all 52 #Starlink V1.0-26 satellites (2021-041) launched May 15 at 2254 UTC. STARLINK-2151 is currently leading the pack, for pass visibility scheduling.

[Craftyatom]

Here is a comparison between the telemetry from Starlink L27 and L26.

Some differences are:

1. Acceleration is generally higher for L26, as you would expect for a lighter payload.
2. The L26 S1 time-line is compressed somewhat, especially for the drone-ship landing.
3. The L26 S2 profile is less lofted up to SECO, but the apogee after insertion is of course much higher.

Thanks; I always enjoy these.  How much trouble would it be to add the additional y-axis labels for altitude and acceleration?

OneSpeed's graphs always make use of creative (but reasonable) unit selection to ensure that one set of y-axis labels correctly describe all three measurements.

In this case, by listing altitude in hectometers and acceleration in centimeters per second squared, those measurements end up being the same order of magnitude as velocity listed in meters per second, and can thus be displayed on the same graph with the same labels.

Fingers crossed we never need a log plot :P

[LaunchedIn68]

Just after midnight on Monday May 17, I looked out my kitchen window that faces North on Long Island NY.  There was a line in the sky.  I made sure it wasn't a reflection, then I thought it was a jet contrail illuminated by the moon.  But the moon had set.  Then I saw individual lights in the train and thought, are these the Starlinks that launched the night before?

I ran outside and took the pics below.  The iphone camera doesn't do what I saw justice.  I saw the line of individual satellites with a faint stream connecting them.  Was that the trail from the ion thrusters?  To the uninformed, I could imagine them reporting a cigarshaped UFO with portals.  It moved NW to NE.

[Rondaz]

Launch, splash, scoop, return, repeat.

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1394299500320133123

[Jansen]

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1394070533994598403

Mr. Jonah is finally on the way with OCISLY and B1058-8. There were some white caps at landing so I'm guessing it took a bit before they could board to secure for the voyage.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Full resolution launch images posted by SpaceX and taken by Ben Cooper