SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-22 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 13 October 2023 (23:01 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Thread for the Starlink 6-22 group launch.

NSF Threads for Starlink 6-22: Discussion

Launch 13 October 2023, 23:01:10 UTC (7:01 pm EDT), after Psyche, from Canaveral SLC-40, on booster 1067-14.  The first stage will land aboard A Shortfall of Gravitas.

Payload 22 Starlink V2 Mini satellites to 43 degree inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit 284 x 293 km.

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

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-posts re: launch timing:

Four more Group 6 from Vandenberg:
1018-EX-ST-2023   Mission 1877 Starlink Group 6-22
[NET May 31]
ASDS North  29  41  52   West  116  41  19 (for all of them)

Then,

SpaceX refiled four of the flights from Vandy with a different ASDS position.
1076-EX-ST-2023  Mission 1877  Starlink 6-22
(dogleg trajectory option)
ASDS     North  28  51  6   West  119  3  37
NET late June [NET May 31?]

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7180

Starlink Group 6-22
Launch Time
NET August, 2023

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7180

Starlink Group 6-22
Launch Time
NET August, 2023
...
SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Vandenberg > Florida:

1528-EX-ST-2023  SpaceX Mission 1877 Starlink Group 6-22
Florida, NET September [NET Aug 31]
ASDS  North  25  41  37   West  75  5  42

Not yet sure that the launch location has changed:

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7180

Starlink Group 6-22
Launch Time
NET Aug 16, 2023

Yes, launch moved to Florida:

Starlink 6-22?  Edit/add: See below; it's Starlink 7-1.

NextSpaceflight, updated August 11:
August 17 ~07:00 UTC = August 17 ~12:00 midnight PDT

Edit/add
Vandenberg Starlink x-xx is Starlink 7-1.

Starlink Group 7-1, likely no dog-leg with inclination ~53 deg orbit.

NOTAM #: A1747/23Class: InternationalStatus: ActiveIssue Date UTC: 08/10/2023 1504Start Date UTC: 08/17/2023 0831End Date UTC: 08/23/2023 1123
A1747/23 NOTAMN
Q) SEFG/QXXLW/IV/NBO/AW/000/999/0721N11509W999
<snip>
E) FALCON 9 STARLINK 7-1 STAGE 2 REENTRY AND SPLASHDOWN IN THE
UNASSIGNED FIR, <snip>

ISLA DE PASCUA/ACC-FIC
NOTAM #: R0198/23Class: InternationalStatus: ActiveIssue Date UTC: 08/10/2023 1255Start Date UTC: 08/17/2023 0831End Date UTC: 08/23/2023 1123
R0198/23 NOTAMN
Q) SCIZ/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/2400S09000W715
<snip>
E)
 ZONE ...D... SECT WEST PACIFIC DUE TO RE-ENTRY FALCON 9 STARLINK 7
-1 STAGE 2 REENTRY ACTIVITY. <snip>

Launch month:

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7241

Starlink Group 6-22
Launch Time
NET October, 2023
...
SLC-40 or LC-39A, Florida, USA

Discussion:

Will there be any non-Starlink September Florida Falcon 9 launches from Florida?  Apparently not (assuming the next mPower launch is not delayed into September).

Possibly USSF-124 if that September 29th launchdate from that recent presentation holds.

And now, O3b mPower is listed NET October, and USSF-124 is listed NET November.

So, we have wall-to-wall 🧱 September Florida Starlink launches! 🍎

O3b mPower 5 and 6 have not yet been delivered to Cape Canaveral.  USSF-124/HBTSS launches NET November.

O3b mPower-C:

NextSpaceflight (Updated September 24th)
Launch NET October 22nd, 2023
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6943

NROL-69:

Any new news?  4th quarter is days away.

I wouldn't make travel plans anytime soon.

Therefore:

Based on the most recent available information, I believe these are all the non-Starlink launches targeted to launch before the end of this year:
- Psyche (Oct. 5)
- O3b mPOWER 5 & 6 (Oct.)
<snip>

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated September 24; my bold:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on September 28 between 7-11 p.m. EDT. A Falcon Heavy will launch NASA's Psyche spacecraft to its namesake asteroid from pad 39A on October 5 at 10:34 a.m. EDT <snip>. The side boosters will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40. A Falcon 9 will launch the O3b mPOWER-5&6 satellites for SES from pad 40 on October.

The SLC-40 Starlink mission following 6-21 is likely to launch circa October 10.  Assuming (big assumption) that SpaceX continues to launch its Florida Starlink Group 6's in ascending numerical order, this launch will be 6-22.  It is currently listed with launch NET October, from either Kennedy LC-39A or Canaveral SLC-40.

However, LC-39A will not be available due to either Psyche/Falcon Heavy launch preparations (if the launch is delayed by a few days), or launch preparations for upcoming Falcon 9 launches.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7241


Starlink 6-18 successfully launched from SLC-40 on September 24 UTC, with a successful first stage landing aboard JRTI.

Starlink 6-19 is currently scheduled to launch from SLC-40 on September 28, with a first stage landing aboard ASOG.

Starlink 6-21 is currently scheduled to launch from SLC-40 NET October 5, perhaps later on the same EDT day as Psyche, with a first stage landing aboard JRTI.

Starlink 6-22 could launch NET October 9, with a first stage landing aboard ASOG.  (4 day SLC-40 turnaround, 8 day ASDS turnaround)

[GewoonLukas_]

NextSpaceflight (Updated September 24th)
Launch NET October 9th, 2023
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7241

[zubenelgenubi]

After several scheduling changes on September 28; no changes to launch NET; my bold:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated September 28:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on September 29 at 6:39 p.m. or later EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on October 5. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40. A Falcon Heavy will launch NASA's Psyche spacecraft to its namesake asteroid from pad 39A on October 12 earliest at 10:16 a.m. EDT. The side boosters will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40. A Falcon 9 will launch the O3b mPOWER-5&6 satellites for SES from pad 40 on late October.

[Ken the Bin]

NGA Space Debris notices (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas). No Rocket Launching notice yet.

040938Z OCT 23
HYDROPAC 3159/23(57,61,71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 
   0002Z TO 0703Z DAILY 09 THRU 15 OCT 
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   08-53.00S 092-28.00E, 07-46.00S 089-27.00E,
   30-12.00S 061-09.00E, 40-45.00S 002-21.00W,
   42-56.00S 002-24.00W, 32-16.00S 063-10.00E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 150803Z OCT 23.//

040938Z OCT 23
HYDROLANT 2246/23(57,61,71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 
   0002Z TO 0703Z DAILY 09 THRU 15 OCT 
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   08-53.00S 092-28.00E, 07-46.00S 089-27.00E,
   30-12.00S 061-09.00E, 40-45.00S 002-21.00W,
   42-56.00S 002-24.00W, 32-16.00S 063-10.00E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 150803Z OCT 23.//

[realnouns]

NET Oct 8 @ 8:37pm ET

https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jsp

SPACE X STARLINK 6-22 CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:   10/09/23   0037Z-0507Z
BACKUP:      10/10/23   0010Z-0442Z
      10/10/23   2345Z-0417Z
      10/11/23   2320Z-0352Z
      10/12/23   2255Z-0327Z
      10/13/23   2229Z-0301Z
      10/14/23   2204Z-0236Z

[Ken the Bin]

NGA Rocket Launching notice.

050938Z OCT 23
NAVAREA IV 1148/23(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   090037Z TO 090044Z OCT, ALTERNATE
   100010Z TO 100442Z, 102345Z TO 110417Z,
   112320Z TO 120352Z, 122255Z TO 130327Z,
   132229Z TO 140301Z, AND 142204Z TO 150236Z OCT
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-38.85N 080-37.58W, 28-40.00N 080-37.00W,
      28-36.00N 080-24.00W, 28-23.00N 080-03.00W,
      28-19.00N 080-07.00W, 28-30.73N 080-33.15W.
   B. 26-01.00N 076-00.00W, 26-25.00N 076-00.00W,
      26-05.00N 074-59.00W, 25-36.00N 074-03.00W,
      25-23.00N 073-53.00W, 25-09.00N 074-01.00W,
      25-06.00N 074-16.00W, 25-08.00N 074-38.00W,
      25-18.00N 075-00.00W, 25-43.00N 075-37.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 150336Z OCT 23.

[zubenelgenubi]

Seven minutes primary launch window?: 🪟

NGA Rocket Launching notice.

050938Z OCT 23
NAVAREA IV 1148/23(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   090037Z TO 090044Z OCT, <snip>

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Seven minutes primary launch window: 🪟

NGA Rocket Launching notice.

050938Z OCT 23
NAVAREA IV 1148/23(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   090037Z TO 090044Z OCT, <snip>

Pretty sure that's a typo error in the released warning - that happens sometimes.

[trebloc]

Sorry if this has already been asked. Why do most if not all recent starlink launches seem to be at night?

[mandrewa]

Sorry if this has already been asked. Why do most if not all recent starlink launches seem to be at night?

(1) Less interference with commercial airlines. 
(2) Calmer weather on average.

Those are my guesses.  But I don't know for certain.

[ZachS09]

Sorry if this has already been asked. Why do most if not all recent starlink launches seem to be at night?

(1) Less interference with commercial airlines. 
(2) Calmer weather on average.

Those are my guesses.  But I don't know for certain.

I think it also has to do with the tower construction at SLC-40. No work is done at nighttime, so good opportunity to launch.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spaceoffshore/status/1710015995165708465

ASOG droneship is out to sea to support SpaceX Starlink 6-22. Tug Crosby Skipper is towing 🌊

 nsf.live/spacecoast

[realnouns]

Crosby Skipper + ASOG departed PC on Oct 5 @ 3:34pm ET

[OneSpeed]

NGA Space Debris notices (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas). No Rocket Launching notice yet.

NGA Rocket Launching notice.

Maps from the NGA notices. Identical to 6-21, ASDS 630km downrange.

[zubenelgenubi]

Which first stage will be used for this launch (semi-rhetorical question)?

The May 16 press briefing revealed Falcon 9 first stages are now cleared for use up to twenty times for Starlink launches.

1064.5 and 1065.5 1064.4 and 1065.4 are reserved as the Falcon Heavy side boosters for USSF-52 Psyche.

1072.1 is reserved for Cygnus NG-20.

1076.9 and 1073.11 may undergo modifications to become Falcon Heavy side boosters for a future launch, but are apparently still available for "single-stick" launches at the current time.

Available first stages, with UTC date of most recent recovery:
1062.16  Jul 28 (after "deep" inspection?)
1067.14  Aug 17
1081.2    Aug 26
1080.4    Aug 27
1077.8    Sep 1
1073.11  Sep 4
1078.6    Sep 16
1058.18  Sep 20 (maybe)

Edit October 6: It's B1067.14; B1062.16 skipped over again.

[catdlr]

SpaceX - Falcon 9 - Starlink Group 6-22 - SLC-40 - CCSFS - Space Affairs Livestream

[realnouns]

Bob departed PC on Oct 6 @ 8:13am ET

….and is heading back?

[Update:  Back in Port]

[Alexphysics]

Bob departed PC on Oct 6 @ 8:13am ET

….and is heading back?

Bob only went out for trials https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1710275393771508119

[Ron Lee]

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-6-22

SpaceX is targeting Sunday, October 8 at 9:06 p.m. ET for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. If needed, four backup opportunities are available starting at 9:57 p.m. ET until 12:29 a.m. ET on Monday, October 9.

This is the 14th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat 5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, mPOWER-a, PSN SATRIA, and five 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.

A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about five minutes prior to liftoff.

B1067.14
[zubenelgenubi: Edit/add]