SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-23 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 17/18 October 2023 (00:39 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Thread for the Starlink 6-23 group launch.

NSF Threads for Starlink 6-23: Discussion

Launch 18 October 2023, 00:39:00 UTC (17 Oct 8:39 pm EDT), from Canaveral SLC-40, on booster 1062-16.  The first stage successfully landed aboard Just Read the Instructions.

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:
<snip>
1019-EX-ST-2023   Mission 1878 Starlink Group 6-23
[NET May 31]
ASDS North  29  41  52   West  116  41  19

Then,

SpaceX refiled four of the flights from Vandy with a different ASDS position.
<snip>
1076-EX-ST-2023  Mission 1878  Starlink 6-23
ASDS     North  28  51  6   West  119  3  37
NET late June

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7182

Starlink Group 6-23
Launch Time
NET September, 2023

Vandenberg > Florida:

1529-EX-ST-2023  SpaceX Mission 1878 Starlink Group 6-23

Florida, NET September [1]
ASDS  North  25  41  37   West  75  5  42

Launch month:

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7182

Starlink Group 6-23
Launch Time
NET October, 2023
...
SLC-40 or LC-39A, Florida, USA

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>

And:
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 6-22 is likely to launch in mid October.  Assuming that SpaceX continues to launch its Florida Starlink Group 6's in ascending numerical order, this launch will be 6-23.  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 launch preparations for November Falcon 9 launches.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7182


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 is currently scheduled to launch NET October 9, with a first stage landing aboard ASOG.

Starlink 6-23 could launch NET October 13, with a first stage landing aboard JRTI.  (4 day SLC-40 turnaround, 8 day ASDS turnaround)

(Following the patterns:
Starlink 6-24? launch NET Oct 17, SLC-40, ASOG.

O3b mPower-C launch NET Oct 22, SLC-40, JRTI.

One or two more Starlink launches from SLC-40 before or on Nov 1.

Foul weather and sea states, including hurricanes, will break the perfect pattern.🌀 Murphy's Law.)

[zubenelgenubi]

After several scheduling changes on September 28; no change 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.

[zubenelgenubi]

NextSpaceflight, updated October 1:
Launch NET October 15, SLC-40

[Ken the Bin]

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

081624Z OCT 23
HYDROLANT 2281/23(57,61,71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   2132Z TO 0432Z DAILY 14 THRU 21 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 220532Z OCT 23.

081624Z OCT 23
HYDROPAC 3211/23(57,61,71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   2132Z TO 0432Z DAILY 14 THRU 21 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 220532Z OCT 23.

[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.

1064.4 and 1065.4 are reserved as the Falcon Heavy side boosters for Psyche.

1072.1 is reserved for Cygnus NG-20.

Will a relatively low-flight booster be held back for the SpX-29 Cargo Dragon launch, currently scheduled Nov 4 UTC?

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?)
1081.2    Aug 26
1080.4    Aug 27
1077.8    Sep 1
1073.11  Sep 4
1078.6    Sep 16
1058.18  Sep 20
1060.18  Sep 24 (maybe)

[Ken the Bin]

NGA Rocket Launching notice.

090919Z OCT 23
NAVAREA IV 1159/23(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
BAHAMAS.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   142205Z TO 150236Z OCT, ALTERNATE 
   152140Z TO 160211Z, 162115Z TO 170146Z, 
   172049Z TO 180120Z, 182024Z TO 190055Z, 
   191959Z, TO 200030Z AND 201934Z TO 210005Z OCT
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39.00N 080-37.00W, 28-39.00N 080-28.00W,
      28-28.00N 080-06.00W, 28-22.00N 080-05.00W,
      28-19.00N 080-06.00W, 28-23.00N 080-19.00W,
      28-29.00N 080-32.00W.
   B. 25-59.00N 076-03.00W, 26-16.00N 076-03.00W,
      26-06.00N 074-58.00W, 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.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 210105Z OCT 23.//

[zubenelgenubi]

Domino-effect delay to follow?
Starlink 6-12 after Psyche:

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1711475561581973754

Teams are evaluating the next available opportunity for this @Starlink launch, the upcoming @NASA Psyche launch on Falcon Heavy has priority this week.

[OneSpeed]

NGA Rocket Launching notice.

Maps from the NGA notices. ASDS 630km downrange.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated October 9, further updates:

<snip>
A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on October TBD.  A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on October TBD. Upcoming launches include more Starlink missions from pad 40.
<snip>
Upcoming [November] launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40.

[zubenelgenubi]

Launch delayed by one day, likely due to the delay of the Starlink 6-22 launch.

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated later in the day, October 10; my bold:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on October 11 at 7:20 p.m. EDT or later. A Falcon Heavy will launch NASA's Psyche spacecraft to its namesake asteroid from pad 39A on October 12 at 10:16 a.m. EDT. 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 on October 15 in the evening EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on October TBD. Upcoming launches include more Starlink missions from pad 40. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-29 resupply mission to the ISS from pad 39A on November 3 at 11:49 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40.

My strike and bold:

NGA Rocket Launching notice.

090919Z OCT 23
NAVAREA IV 1159/23(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
BAHAMAS.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   142205Z TO 150236Z OCT, ALTERNATE 
   152140Z TO 160211Z, 162115Z TO 170146Z, 
   172049Z TO 180120Z, 182024Z TO 190055Z, 
   191959Z, TO 200030Z AND 201934Z TO 210005Z OCT
<snip>

[Ken the Bin]

Unsurprisingly, this launch is pushed back from October 14 to October 16 per this cancel-and-replace NGA Rocket Launching notice.

111736Z OCT 23
NAVAREA IV 1175/23(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 
   162115Z TO 170146Z OCT , ALTERNATE
   172049Z TO 180120Z, 182024Z TO 190055Z, 
   191959Z TO 200030Z, 201934Z TO 210005Z,
   211909Z TO 212340Z, AND 221844Z TO 222315 OCT
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39.00N 080-37.00W, 28-39.00N 080-28.00W,
      28-28.00N 080-06.00W, 28-22.00N 080-05.00W,
      28-19.00N 080-06.00W, 28-23.00N 080-19.00W,
      28-29.00N 080-32.00W.
   B. 25-59.00N 076-03.00W, 26-16.00N 076-03.00W,
      26-06.00N 074-58.00W, 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.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 1159/23.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 230015Z OCT 23.

[Salo]

https://www.launchphotography.com/Launch_Viewing_Guide.html

UPDATED OCTOBER 11, 2023
...
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on October 13 earliest around 6:30 p.m. EDT or later. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on October 17 earliest around 6 p.m. EDT or later.

[zubenelgenubi]

Starlink 6-22 launch delayed one day, thus delaying this launch one day to October 17.

NET October 13 now:

.@SpaceX is moving the #Starlink Group 6-22 launch to Oct 13, along with the Psyche launch, due to weather. New pre-launch SupGP data will be provided as soon as new launch data becomes available. [Oct 11 UTC]

[Ken the Bin]

As expected, a cancel-and-replace NGA Rocket Launching notice postponing this launch to October 17.

122347Z OCT 23
NAVAREA IV 1182/23(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 
   172049Z TO 180120Z, ALTERNATE 182024Z TO 190055Z, 
   191959Z TO 200030Z, 201934Z TO 210005Z,
   211909Z TO 212340Z, 221844Z TO 222315Z
   AND 231818Z TO 232249Z IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39.00N 080-28.00W, 28-39.00N 080-37.00W,
      28-29.00N 080-32.00W, 28-23.00N 080-19.00W,
      28-19.00N 080-06.00W, 28-22.00N 080-05.00W,
      28-28.00N 080-06.00W.
   B. 25-36.00N 074-03.00W, 26-06.00N 074-58.00W,
      26-16.00N 076-03.00W, 25-59.00N 076-03.00W,
      25-18.00N 075-00.00W, 25-08.00N 074-38.00W,
      25-06.00N 074-16.00W, 25-09.00N 074-01.00W,
      25-23.00N 073-53.00W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 1175/23.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 232349Z OCT 23.

[realnouns]

Signet Titan + JRTI depart PC on Oct 14 @ 6:52pm

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spaceoffshore/status/1713327771579982040

As the sun sets on a beautiful evening at Cape Canaveral, JRTI droneship is underway to support Starlink 6-23 on Tuesday.

Tug Signet Titan is towing. nsf.live/spacecoast

[Martin_G]

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

SPACEX STARLINK 6-23 CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:   10/17/23   2049Z-0120Z
BACKUP:      10/18/23   2024Z-0055Z
      10/19/23   1959Z-0030Z
      10/20/23   1934Z-0005Z
      10/21/23   1909Z-2340Z
      10/22/23   1844Z-2315Z
      10/23/23   1818Z-2249Z

[FutureSpaceTourist]

L-1 Launch weather forecast is 95% GO, all additional risk criteria are low

[GewoonLukas_]

SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, October 17 at 5:20 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, five backup opportunities are available starting at 6:11 p.m. ET until 8:48 p.m. ET. Six backup opportunities are also currently available on Wednesday, October 18 starting at 4:55 p.m. ET until 8:23 p.m. ET.

This is the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, OneWeb Launch 17, ARABSAT BADR-8, and eight Starlink missions. (=B1062-16) Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions 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.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-6-23