SpaceX F9 : Starlink 4-3 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 2 December 2021 (23:12 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Discussion thread for the Starlink 4-3 launch.

NSF Threads for Starlink: Discussion

Successful launch on December 2 at 6:12 pm EST (23:12 UTC) from SLC-40 with booster 1060-9. Successful ASDS first stage landing on ASOG. Fairing recovery is expected from the water.

SpaceX is targeting Thursday, December 2 for a Falcon 9 launch of 48 Starlink satellites and two BlackSky spacecraft [Global-12 and Global-13] to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 6:12 p.m. EST, or 23:12 UTC.

The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched GPS III-3, Turksat 5A, Transporter-2, and five Starlink missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

Expected deployment orbit of approximately 430km at 53.2 degree inclination.

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.

[Josh_from_Canada]

B1062 could be for this mission instead

Booster B1062.4 has been spotted recently at KSC with a second stage already attached, but since it wasn't used for Starlink 4-1, I'm guessing it will launch IXPE?

https://twitter.com/chancebelloise/status/1456273334186831883

[zubenelgenubi]

(We = the spaceflight community not privy to confidential information)

"We" know the next Starlink batch launch from Florida will be soon.  What we don't know are the planned particulars of that mission.

Launch Photography has mentioned this launch as TBA for some time; Next Spaceflight has listed NET November December for some time as well.

Edit Nov 15: If no Static Fire is needed, then the first we would know that the launch is imminent could be NOTAM publication and/or Falcon 9 transport to the pad about 1 day before launch.

Cross-posts from the manifest discussion thread:

SpX-23          LC-39A     August 29 (UTC)
Inspiration4  LC-39A    September 16
Crew-3           LC-39A    November 11
Starlink 4-1   SLC-40     November 13 12
??                   ??              ??
IXPE               LC-39A    December 9
Turksat 5B    SLC-40     mid Dec late 2021
SpX-24           LC-39A    December 21
CSG-2            SLC-40    December 14

An observation: If SpaceX wishes to, there is room in the launch schedule for another Starlink cluster launch from SLC-40 in late November [or early December, or late December], before Turksat 5B CSG-2. 

[Time for a SLC-40 launch campaign that does not conflict with CSG-2, as the CSG-2 launch from SLC-40 must also be accommodated.]

I don't know how much time the IXPE launch campaign needs, or I might also speculate about a launch from LC-39A in late November.

Edits: Nov 12 and 14

Congratulations SpaceX on what appears to be a flawless flight and a return of east coast Starlink flights. 

The rest of the 2021 Manifest looks like it could finish strong. Hopefully there can be 1 or two more Starlink flights before 12/31

<snip> Been meaning to do this for awhile but per Elon's tweet that SpaceX plans to launch 80t in Q4, that will definitely require at least a few more Starlink launches. Based on him saying that SpaceX launched 41t in Q3, I'll ballpark that as 13t for Inspiration4, 14t for CRS-23, and 14t for Starlink 2-1.

In Q4, we have two launches behind us and five more confirmed missions on the manifest:

Crew-3 (13t)
Starlink 4-1 (15t)
DART (0.7t)
IXPE (0.4t)
CSG-2 (2.2t)
Turksat 5B (4.5t)
CRS-24 (14t)

Altogether, that's about 50t, leaving room for two more Starlink launches to reach Elon's 80t prediction. I'd personally guess that that means one more Starlink launch from each coast before the end of the year.

SFN, SpaceX launch starts deployment of new Starlink orbital shell, November 13

At least four Falcon 9 missions are scheduled in December from Florida’s Space Coast, launching more Starlink satellites, NASA’s IXPE X-ray astronomy telescope, the Turksat 5B communications payload, and another NASA cargo mission to the space station.

Stephen Clark forgot CSG-2 (unless he knows something that he did not mention in his article).

See the CSG-2 launch thread regarding this:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=54913.msg2310449#msg2310449

[scr00chy]

I'm hoping this mission is called Starlink 4-2, otherwise I'll just throw myself off a cliff...

I'd also accept Starlink 3-1 if this goes to 97.6°.

[crandles57]

(We = the spaceflight community not privy to confidential information)

"We" know the next Starlink batch launch from Florida will be soon.  What we don't know are the planned particulars of that mission.

Launch Photography has mentioned this launch as TBA for some time; Next Spaceflight has listed NET December for some time as well.

Next Spaceflight has one NET November. (It gives it the name 2-2 but I think/hope that is just a leftover and likely to be wrong.)

There seem 3 4 possibilities for the 2 starlink flights:
VSFB Mid Dec or later
SLC-40 late Nov
LC39A late Nov
CSG-2 further delayed and replaced by Starlink flight
so at least one of them has to be late Nov if they are going to fit in 2 Starlink flights.

At least four Falcon 9 missions are scheduled in December from Florida’s Space Coast, launching more Starlink satellites, ...

does seem to suggest first and last options?
alternately perhaps the order of listed launches suggests SLC-40 late Nov window stretches into early Dec.

[soltasto]

If this launch is going to be called 2-2 and will be launching to 70° it will make sense. It would just confirm that the first number is the shell number.

[crandles57]

If this launch is going to be called 2-2 and will be launching to 70° it will make sense. It would just confirm that the first number is the shell number.

Does it make sense? If launching to shell 2 from both coasts that seems to suggest they want to fill shell 2 as fast as possible which would seem reasonable, but in that case, why do a group 4? (Perhaps they wanted to confirm they could do a launch of 53 sat to lower inclination?)

[scr00chy]

If this launch is going to be called 2-2 and will be launching to 70° it will make sense. It would just confirm that the first number is the shell number.

Have we seen FCC filings for 70° launches from Florida? I thought we've only seen 53.2° and 97.6°.

[soltasto]

If this launch is going to be called 2-2 and will be launching to 70° it will make sense. It would just confirm that the first number is the shell number.

Have we seen FCC filings for 70° launches from Florida? I thought we've only seen 53.2° and 97.6°.

They filed for 6 missions from 40/39A with the Droneship placed at 23 17 50 N 78 58 45 W which would be fine for both polar and 70° launches. I think they would prefer to launch the polar satellites from Vandenberg to avoid the dogleg maneuver, but this wasn't confirmed anywhere. Those 6 licenses expire in Jan 2022 by the way

[zubenelgenubi]

SFN Launch Schedule, dated November 17:
Starlink 4-3
SLC-40
December 1
06:36 UTC
likely 53 satellites

No identification of the first stage.

I'm hoping this mission is called Starlink 4-2, otherwise I'll just throw myself off a cliff...

Hang in there, scr00chy!

[scr00chy]

I'm hoping this mission is called Starlink 4-2, otherwise I'll just throw myself off a cliff...

Hang in there, scr00chy!

Sigh...

[zubenelgenubi]

Space Coast launches for the immediate future.

2021 Launched:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

December 2 NET July NET August? Aug Aug? NET October TBD Dec 1 - Starlink 4-3 4-2? (x48 x60 x53? TBD or x46) (flight 32 TBD) [v1.5 L3 TBD v1.0 L30], SXRS-2: BlackSky 12 and 13 - Falcon 9-130 (1060.9 1062.4? S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A - 23:12:00 06:36 23:20 ~23:00 22:57 or 23:28 or
(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)

2021 Scheduled:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

December 5 TBD Q1 February 26 TBD midyear June 23 NET late NET July NET August late Aug or early Sept? NET early Sept ? TBD NET mid-November ~22 22 Dec 4 - STP-3: STPSat-6, ROOSTER-1 (LDPE-1), small satellites (up to 4 x6?) - Atlas V 551 (AV-093) - Canaveral SLC-41 - 09:04-11:04

December 9 May 31 September 15 NET November 20 NET 17 Dec 13 - IXPE - Falcon 9-131 130? 129? 130? TBD (1062.4? previously flown S) - Kennedy LC-39A - 06:00-07:30

December 19 Q2 June Q4 end of year December mid Dec - Türksat 5B - Falcon 9-132? TBD (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A - 03:58-05:28 likely night EST

December 21 October 2 November Nov 10 December 2 4 late - Dragon SpX-24 - Falcon 9-133? 131? 132? TBD (S) - Kennedy LC-39A - 10:06 ~09:00
(ISS flights: 22-26 minutes earlier/day)

NET January 2022 NET July NET September August? NET Sept? NET October TBD NET late Dec - Starlink 4-? (x53? x60) (flight TBD) [v1.5 L-TBD v1.0 L31] - Falcon 9-TBD (S) - Canaveral SLC-40? / Kennedy LC-39A
(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)

NET January 2022 NET Dec 1/NLT July 2022 NET Dec - VCLS Demo 2A: BAMA-1, CURIE A, CURIE B, INCA, QubeSat, R5-S1 (ELaNa 41) - Rocket 3.x (Astra) [LV0008] - Canaveral SLC-46 Kodiak LP-3B / Kwajalein

Early 2022 TBD 2022 (NET) November 18 December Dec 14 Dec? - CSG-2 - Falcon 9-TBD 128? TBD 130? 131? (L?) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A Kourou - ~23:11 23:11:12
(Sun-synchronous orbit satellites: launch at approximately the same time of day year-round)

Changes on September 23rd, 2020
Changes on November 5th, 2020
Changes on November 7th, 2020
Changes in November 2020
Changes on November 16th, 2020
Changes on December 11th, 2020
Changes on December 14th, 2020
Changes on January
Changes on January 25th
Changes on February 15th
Changes in February
Changes on March 16th
Changes on April 7th
Changes on April 12th
Changes on April 15th
Changes on May 1st
Changes on May 21st
Changes on May 22nd
Changes on May 27th
Changes on June 4th
Changes on June 7th
Changes on June 10th
Changes on June 11th
Changes on June 14th
Changes on June 24th
Changes on June 30th
Changes on July 13th
Changes on July 27th
Changes on August 10th
Changes on August 11th
Changes on August 13th
Changes on August 14th
Changes on September 7th
Changes on September 8th
Changes on September 14th
Changes on September 27th
Changes on September 30th
Changes on October 6th
Changes on October 14th
Changes on October 16th
Changes on October 18th
Changes on October 19th
Changes on October 20th
Changes on October 22nd
Changes on October 30th
Changes on November 1st
Changes on November 4th
Changes on November 5th
Changes on November 9th
Changes on November 11th
Changes on November 12th
Changes on November 13th
Changes on November 17th
Changes on November 19th
Changes on November 20th
Changes on November 22nd
Changes on November 28th
Changes on November 30th
Changes on December 1st
Changes on December 2nd
Changes on December 3rd
zubenelgenubi

[zubenelgenubi]

Revision of Starlink 4-3 launch time on December 1, from SFN Launch Schedule, dated November 20:
23:20 UTC

[SPKirsch]

https://mobile.twitter.com/EmreKelly/status/1462977907626754050

[realnouns]

are we guessing 1060.9 for this?  seems like the next up, that is well used

[zubenelgenubi]

are we guessing 1060.9 for this?  seems like the next up, that is well used

"We" are not "guessing" a booster identity.

There is insufficient public information to deduce identity.

B1062.4 was observed on November 4 being transported on the grounds, as reported up-thread, circumstantial evidence that it would be used soon.

If SpaceX chooses not to conduct a Static Fire, then we may not know the booster identity until:
1) SpaceX announces it;

2) A reliable someone with a reliable source announces it;

3) Our wonderful photographers provide enough hi-res photography to identify a booster by "soot-ological" and/or markings analysis;

4) Or one of our photographers snaps a hi-res photo with the tail number.

Edit/add: We may not know booster identity until November 30 or December 1.

(The word guess can have a negative connotation in English, implying a lack of thoughtfulness in reaching a conclusion.)

[Ken the Bin]

NGA "Rocket Launching" notice for this launch.  No sign of an associated "Space Debris" notice for the stage 2 reentry.

Estimated  launch times:
Primary Day = Wednesday, December 1 at ~23:20 UTC (~18:20 EST).
Backup Day #1 = Thursday, December 2 at ~22:57 UTC (~17:57 EST).
Backup Day #2 = Friday, December 3 at ~22:35 UTC (~17:35 EST).
Backup Day #3 = Saturday, December 4 at ~22:12 UTC (~17:12 EST).
Backup Day #4 = Sunday, December 5 at ~21:49 UTC (~16:49 EST).
Backup Day #5 = Monday, December 6 at ~21:27 UTC (~16:27 EST).
Backup Day #6 = Tuesday, December 7 at ~21:04 UTC (~16:04 EST).
Backup Day #7 = Wednesday, December 8 at ~20:41 UTC (~15:41 EST).

261002Z NOV 21
NAVAREA IV 1061/21(11,12,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   012220Z TO 020107Z DEC, ALTERNATE
   022157Z TO 030044Z, 032135Z TO 040022Z,
   042112Z TO 042359Z, 052049Z TO 052336Z,
   062027Z TO 062314Z, 072004Z TO 072251Z
   AND 081941Z TO 082228Z DEC
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-37-13N 080-36-16W, 29-12-00N 079-53-00W,
      29-07-00N 079-49-00W, 28-35-00N 080-22-00W,
      28-29-10N 080-32-24W.
   B. 31-39-00N 077-20-00W, 33-15-00N 075-57-00W,
      33-45-00N 074-46-00W, 33-27-00N 074-14-00W,
      32-33-00N 074-39-00W, 31-25-00N 077-06-00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 082328Z DEC 21.

[Rondaz]

Launch Hazard Areas map for #Starlink Group 4-3 from CCSFS SLC-40 NET 01 Dec 23:20 UTC, alternatively 02 to 08 Dec based on issued NOTMAR/NOTAMs. Booster landing approx. 639km downrange, fairing recovery ~668km downrange. S2 reentry south of Australia.

https://twitter.com/Raul74Cz/status/1464337595970863109

[Ken the Bin]

The NGA "Space Debris" notice was finally issued today.  The HYDROPAC 3414/21 notice referenced to cancel was issued about an hour earlier and had a missing zero in one of the times.

271025Z NOV 21
HYDROPAC 3415/21(61,75,76).
INDIAN OCEAN.
WESTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 03, DNC 04, DNC 05.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   020032Z TO 020252Z, ALTERNATE
   030009Z TO 030229Z, 032347Z TO 040207Z,
   042324Z TO 050144Z, 052301Z TO 060121Z,
   062239Z TO 070059Z, 072216Z TO 080036Z,
   AND 082153Z TO 090013Z DEC 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 3414/21.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 090113Z DEC 21.

[Rondaz]

Finn Falgout is outbound with A Shortfall of Gravitas ahead of the Starlink 4-3 mission. Launch is scheduled NET December 1 23:20 UTC from LC-40 at Cape Canaveral SFS.

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1464584759397568517