Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-1 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 27 February 2023 (23:13 UTC) (Read 49270 times)

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #61 on:** 02/26/2023 04:38 pm »

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl6-1

Quote

SpaceX is targeting Monday, February 27 at 1:38 p.m. ET (18:38 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 second-generation Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Tuesday, February 28 at 1:49 p.m. ET (18:49 UTC).

The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched CRS-26 and OneWeb Launch 16. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #62 on:** 02/26/2023 04:38 pm »

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1629898468373192707

Quote

We call them “V2 Mini”. They represent a step forward in Starlink capability

twitter.com/spacex/status/1629898472722776066

Quote

V2 minis include key technologies—such as more powerful phased array antennas and the use of E-band for backhaul—which will allow Starlink to provide ~4x more capacity per satellite than earlier iterations

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1629898475042140160

Quote

This means Starlink can provide more bandwidth with increased reliability and connect millions of more people around the world with high-speed internet → starlink.com/resources

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #63 on:** 02/26/2023 04:41 pm »

Have started a new thread for V2 minis: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=58374.0

Keep this as a normal launch thread.

twitter.com/spacex/status/1629898794874687489

Quote

Among other enhancements, V2 minis are equipped with new argon Hall thrusters for on orbit maneuvering

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1629898798968328201

Quote

Developed by SpaceX engineers, they have 2.4x the thrust and 1.5x the specific impulse of our first gen thrusters. This will also be the first time ever that argon Hall thrusters are operated in space

GewoonLukas_ · « **Reply #64 on:** 02/26/2023 05:23 pm »

Quote

Falcon 9 will be able to carry ~3x fewer V2 Mini satellites per launch, but this means that each V2 Mini launch will deploy almost 50% more bandwidth than a V1.5 launch!
Quote
V2 minis include key technologies—such as more powerful phased array antennas and the use of E-band for backhaul—which will allow Starlink to provide ~4x more capacity per satellite than earlier iterations

https://twitter.com/13ericralph31/status/1629906902896480257

Tomness · « **Reply #65 on:** 02/26/2023 06:38 pm »

Quote from: GewoonLukas_ on 02/26/2023 05:23 pm

Quote
Falcon 9 will be able to carry ~3x fewer V2 Mini satellites per launch, but this means that each V2 Mini launch will deploy almost 50% more bandwidth than a V1.5 launch!
Quote
V2 minis include key technologies—such as more powerful phased array antennas and the use of E-band for backhaul—which will allow Starlink to provide ~4x more capacity per satellite than earlier iterations

https://twitter.com/13ericralph31/status/1629906902896480257

Not going matter after they start launching them on Starship later this year hopefully.

GewoonLukas_ · « **Reply #66 on:** 02/26/2023 07:01 pm »

Rocket has been raised vertical:

Quote

And as we wait for #Crew6 to head on out, we watch the @SpaceX #Starlink 6-1 going vertical from the @NASA press site!

https://twitter.com/TJWallerPhotos/status/1629932696976629760

soltasto · « **Reply #67 on:** 02/26/2023 07:13 pm »

"Press kit" capture with OCR (So many!)

kevin-rf · « **Reply #68 on:** 02/26/2023 08:08 pm »

How many of us looked at the pictures and immediately started counting satellites?

Raises hand sheepishly....

eeergo · « **Reply #69 on:** 02/27/2023 09:58 am »

Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/26/2023 04:41 pm

Have started a new thread for V2 minis: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=58374.0

Keep this as a normal launch thread.

twitter.com/spacex/status/1629898794874687489

Quote
Among other enhancements, V2 minis are equipped with new argon Hall thrusters for on orbit maneuvering

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1629898798968328201

Quote
Developed by SpaceX engineers, they have 2.4x the thrust and 1.5x the specific impulse of our first gen thrusters. This will also be the first time ever that argon Hall thrusters are operated in space

Interestingly, argon as electric propulsion propellant has been used since the 60s (see Wikipedia's non-exhaustive list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_spacecraft_with_electric_propulsion

However, the claim that no Hall-effect thruster has ever used argon *in space* appears to hold water. Nevertheless, and notwithstanding SpaceX's stated performance for these new Starlink v2 thrusters, Ar was routinely, seamlessly and interchangably used with more precious noble gases, such as the industry-standard Xe and the Starlink v1 (and others) Kr, for ground testing. Translation to space-bound Hall thrusters was not generally undertaken because of its comparatively worse performance compared to the former: in simple terms, being a much lighter and smaller atom, it requires more energy to ionize and -weaker effect- provides less thrust.

There is quite a rich literature of recent (from the late 90s) revisiting of Ar as an in-space electric propellant though, especially in mixtures with low amounts of Xe, which provide some interesting advantages in performance beyond pure cost: from a cursory reading, it appears collective effects of xenon atoms banging into an argon environment can greatly increase the exhaust's kinetic energy (while perhaps relatively increasing erosion). Of course, there is a pervasive industry-wise xenon scarcity that is affecting all manufacturers, so there's that facet to take into account too.

Galactic Penguin SST · « **Reply #70 on:** 02/27/2023 03:09 pm »

Slight slip of 4+ hours to 6:13 pm EST = 23:13 UTC due to space weather concerns.

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1630237890432364544

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #71 on:** 02/27/2023 03:43 pm »

UK met office space weather details:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/space-weather

Quote

Space Weather Forecast Headline: G1/Minor to G2/Moderate storms expected, and chance G3/Strong storms 27-28 Feb. R1-R2 Blackouts likely throughout.

Some further details on the webpage.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #72 on:** 02/27/2023 04:04 pm »

https://twitter.com/tgmetsfan98/status/1630251745443188736

Quote

The first launch of Starlink v2 satellites is still slated for today, with a liftoff time of 6:13 PM EST (23:13 UTC).

Full details on the new satellites from Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera (@Alexphysics13):

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/02/starlink-6-1-2-7/

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #73 on:** 02/27/2023 08:01 pm »

Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/27/2023 03:43 pm

UK met office space weather details:
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/space-weather
Quote
Space Weather Forecast Headline: G1/Minor to G2/Moderate storms expected, and chance G3/Strong storms 27-28 Feb. R1-R2 Blackouts likely throughout.

Some further details on the webpage.

https://spaceweather.com/
GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING: Strong G3-class geomagnetic storms are possible on Feb. 27th and 28th when another CME could strike Earth's magnetic field--the second in as many days. The first CME, which arrived during the late hours of Feb. 26th, has already sparked multiple episodes of strong storming with widespread auroras in northern Europe and North America. A double blow could intensify the storm even more. Stay tuned. [Feb 27]

https://spaceweather.com/images2023/25feb23/halocme.gif