Tomorrow, SpaceX will launch the first Starlink Gen 2 mission. While the satellites on board are likely identical to those launched previously, the destination orbit is used only by the Gen 2 constellation.Full details from @Alexphysics13:
The key about which sat version is being used (F9-1 or F9-2) would be number of sats being launched. This is because of mass and volume ~2X factor of difference between them. Do we know the number of sats yet for this launch?You could almost then think of the initial F9-1 as a set of V1.99 sats to test out the various new hardware/software to be used on the larger V2 sats without launching them in enough numbers as in ~50 or even more to do all the designs validation.
I don't see what Jonathan says about SpaceX filling for a single satellite, I must have missed it, but there are now FCC permits for up to 4 Group 5 missions and all have the same landing coordinates for the booster, it doesn't seem like Group 5-1 is a one-off.
Quote from: Alexphysics on 12/27/2022 10:11 amI don't see what Jonathan says about SpaceX filling for a single satellite, I must have missed it, but there are now FCC permits for up to 4 Group 5 missions and all have the same landing coordinates for the booster, it doesn't seem like Group 5-1 is a one-off.Just passing thru here, not sure this has been discussed upstream from here. I suspect so, but didn't see anything. The whole reason for launching V2.0 compliant (VBand) Starlink Satellites at this moment is strictly for establishing ITU Spectrum Priority. It is a race against Kuiper who shows launching the first 2 VBand satellites in Feb. I believe at least 2 satellites are required on-orbit functioning for ITU spectrum priority assignment. So the satellites that are launched will need to operate on the spectrum in which ITU priority is sought. VBand. ITU approved inclination for V2.0 includes 148 inclinations. We are talking ITU not FCC. So I have always been directed to more of the EROS C3 #1 launch from Vandenberg on Dec. 30th. EROS C-3 #1 is only 400kg to a Sun-Synchronous Orbit with RTLS. So there is an available 4000kg of mass on this launcher with RTLS and according to reports here, It is headed to a ~148 inclination launch EROS C3#1 launch came from nowhere in mid-December, after they yanked the booster 1061.11 on Nov. 18th that was already upright on the launch pad with OCISLY on station in the Pacific. So perhaps 2 or 3 full-sized V2.0 configured vertically on the dispenser, with EROS C3#1 on top? V2.0 mass is something like 1,200kg?? Which would bring the total satellite mass to 4,000kg plus dispenser. ?
https://twitter.com/tgmetsfan98/status/1607848085996060675QuoteTomorrow, SpaceX will launch the first Starlink Gen 2 mission. While the satellites on board are likely identical to those launched previously, the destination orbit is used only by the Gen 2 constellation.Full details from @Alexphysics13:https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/12/spacex-starlink-5-1-launch/
The number of satellites flying on Starlink Group 5-1 suggests this mission is flying the F9-1 satellite configuration which would allow them to use hardware and processes similar to launching Starlink v1.5 satellites under the Gen 1 constellation.
The document detailed that “while SpaceX will use technically identical satellites on both rockets, the physical structures will be tailored to meet the physical dimensions of the rockets on which they will be launched.”
EROS C3#1 launch came from nowhere in mid-December, after they yanked the booster 1061.11 on Nov. 18th that was already upright on the launch pad with OCISLY on station in the Pacific. So perhaps 2 or 3 full-sized V2.0 configured vertically on the dispenser, with EROS C3#1 on top? V2.0 mass is something like 1,200kg?? Which would bring the total satellite mass to 4,000kg plus dispenser. ?
What was the reason for the delay to Starlink 2-4?
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, December 28 at 4:40 a.m. ET (9:40 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 54 Starlinksatellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. If needed, there is a backup opportunity available on Thursday, December 29 starting at 4:14 a.m. ET (9:14 UTC).The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.This launch marks the first of Starlink’s upgraded network. Under our new license, we are now able to deploy satellites to new orbits that will add even more capacity to the network. Ultimately, this enables us to add more customers and provide faster service – particularly in areas that are currently over-subscribed.A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff.
HR/MIN/SEC EVENT00:01:12 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)00:02:29 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)00:02:32 1st and 2nd stages separate00:02:39 2nd stage engine starts00:02:44 Fairing deployment00:06:44 1st stage entry burn start00:07:00 1st stage entry burn complete00:08:26 1st stage landing burn start00:08:38 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)00:08:47 1st stage landing00:18:43 Starlink satellites deploy
ASOG droneship is positioned 660 km downrange to recover B1062 for the planned Starlink launch tonight at 4:40am ET.Downrange weather is a watch item according to SpaceX.
The Falcon 9 for the Starlink Group 5-1 mission is vertical at SLC-40 as seen on @NASASpaceflight's Space Coast Live Fleetcam. However, SpaceX is yet to confirm they're on track for launch tonight nsf.live/spacecoast
Targeting Wednesday, December 28 for Falcon 9’s launch of 54 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from SLC-40 in Florida; teams are keeping an eye on weather conditions for booster recovery → spacex.com/launches
The @SpaceX #Falcon9 for #Starlink 5-1 has come alive with sound. The sky is incredibly beautiful. Let's hope recovery area is green.
What is the advantage of the southern trajectory over the usual northern one?
F9/Starlink 5-1: Launch director is go for propellant loading
