Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 7-5 : VSFB SLC-4E : 21 October 2023 (08:23 UTC) (Read 24208 times)

zubenelgenubi · « **on:** 09/30/2023 06:05 pm »

Thread for the Starlink Group 7-5 launch.

Launch 21 October 2023, at 08:23:00 UTC (1:23 am PDT), from Vandenberg SFB SLC-4E, on booster 1061-16. The first stage successfully landed aboard Of Course I Still Love You.

Payload 21 Starlink V2 Mini satellites to 53 degree inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory, no dogleg. Initial orbit 286 x 296 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 · « **Reply #1 on:** 09/30/2023 06:19 pm »

Cross-posts:

Quote from: gongora on 07/25/2023 11:12 pm

Quote from: gongora on 07/10/2023 02:03 pm
1431-EX-ST-2023 SpaceX Mission 2187 Starlink Group 7-5
Vandenberg, NET September [1]
ASDS North 29 52 50 West 116 45 3

1518-EX-ST-2023 SpaceX Mission 2187 Starlink Group 7-5/Dogleg Trajectory Option
Vandenberg, NET August [15]
ASDS North 28 55 50 West 119 5 24

Quote from: Salo on 08/17/2023 07:05 am

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7253
Quote
Starlink Group 7-5
Launch Time
NET October, 2023
...
SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

This is possibly the next Vandenberg Falcon 9 launch, following the NET 7 October UTC Starlink 7-4 launch.

Launch NET circa October 20, with pad and OCISLY turnarounds in play. Also assumes Starlink 8-1 is not next. SARah 2/3 is also NET October. WorldView Legion 1/2 is also NET October, but doubtful for said month.

Launch trajectory: dogleg or no dogleg? Dogleg option was not/will not be used for 7-2, 7-3, and 7-4.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #2 on:** 10/09/2023 12:09 pm »

Updated via strike-throughs:

Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 09/30/2023 06:19 pm

This is most likely ~~possibly~~ the next Vandenberg Falcon 9 launch, following the ~~NET 7~~ 9 October UTC Starlink 7-4 launch.

Launch NET circa October 20, with pad and OCISLY turnarounds in play. Also assumes Starlink 8-1 is not next. SARah 2/3 is also NET October. WorldView Legion 1/2 is also NET October, but doubtful for said month.

Launch trajectory: ~~dogleg or~~ no dogleg? ~~Dogleg option was not/will not be used for 7-2, 7-3, and 7-4.~~

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.

Available first stages, with UTC date of most recent recovery:
1061.16 Aug 22 (after "deep" inspection?)
1071.12 Sep 12
1075.7 Sep 25 (maybe)

Edit October 20: It's B1061.16.

realnouns · « **Reply #3 on:** 10/13/2023 03:49 pm »

Scorpius (+ OCISLY??) departed PoLB on Oct 13 @ 3:27am PT / 6:27am ET

Hiding behind Santa Catalina Island

Testing or mission?

Ken the Bin · « **Reply #4 on:** 10/14/2023 03:59 am »

NGA Space Debris notice for the booster. Below that the three multi-launch Space Debris notices for the second stage, covering through to the end of October.

Booster:

Quote from: NGA

130053Z OCT 23
NAVAREA XII 714/23(21).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
MEXICO.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   190702Z TO 191122Z OCT, ALTERNATE 200641Z TO 201100Z,
   210619Z TO 211039Z, 220558Z TO 221017Z,
   230536Z TO 230956Z, 240515Z TO 240934Z
   AND 250453Z TO 250912Z OCT IN AREA BOUND BY
   30-25.00N 116-41.00W, 31-00.00N 117-19.00W,
   31-00.00N 117-34.00W, 30-45.00N 117-34.00W,
   29-20.00N 116-53.00W, 29-01.00N 116-37.00W,
   29-23.00N 116-02.00W, 29-48.00N 116-10.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 251012Z OCT 23.

Stage 2:

Quote from: NGA

170358Z SEP 23
HYDROPAC 2991/23(22).
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 06, DNC 07.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   24 SEP THRU 31 OCT IN AREA BOUND BY
   34-20.00S 090-24.00W, 31-22.00S 090-24.00W,
   00-10.00S 115-17.00W, 01-19.00S 116-54.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 010001Z NOV 23.

Quote from: NGA

170358Z SEP 23
NAVAREA XII 649/23(22).
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   24 SEP THRU 31 OCT IN AREA BOUND BY
   34-20.00S 090-24.00W, 31-22.00S 090-24.00W,
   00-10.00S 115-17.00W, 01-19.00S 116-54.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 010001Z NOV 23.

Quote from: NGA

201622Z SEP 23
HYDROPAC 3005/23(22).
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 06, DNC 07.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   0001Z TO 2359Z DAILY 24 SEP THRU 31 OCT
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   34-20.00S 090-24.00W, 31-22.00S 090-24.00W,
   00-10.00S 115-17.00W, 01-19.00S 116-54.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 010059Z NOV 23.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #5 on:** 10/14/2023 06:38 am »

Next Spaceflight says this is launching on 19 October at 07:02 UTC.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7253

Galactic Penguin SST · « **Reply #6 on:** 10/14/2023 06:58 am »

Quote from: Steven Pietrobon on 10/14/2023 06:38 am

Next Spaceflight says this is launching on 19 October at 07:02 UTC.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7253

Based on the post right above you.

OneSpeed · « **Reply #7 on:** 10/14/2023 09:26 am »

Quote from: Ken the Bin on 10/14/2023 03:59 am

NGA Space Debris notice for the booster ...

Maps from the NGA notices. ASDS 638km downrange.

VLN · « **Reply #8 on:** 10/14/2023 01:34 pm »

Quote from: realnouns on 10/13/2023 03:49 pm

Scorpius (+ OCISLY??) departed PoLB on Oct 13 @ 3:27am PT / 6:27am ET

Hiding behind Santa Catalina Island

Testing or mission?

Quote from: USCG SEC LA-LB BNM 0117-23 rec'd at 10/13/2023, 10:38 AM PDT

1. SALVAGE OPERATIONS OF A SU[N]KEN VESSEL ARE TAKING PLACE ON THE SOUTHEAST END OF CATALINA ISLAND NEAR SILVER CANYON.
2. FOLLOWING SALVAGE TUG SCORPIUS WILL BE CONDUCTING A TOW OF THE DISABLED VESSEL TO LONG BEACH MIDDLE HARBOR, CA.
3. ALL VESSELS IN THE AREA ARE REQUEST TO MAINTAIN A WIDE B[E]RTH AND TRANSIT WITH CAUTION.
4. ANY CONCERNED TRAFFIC PLEASE CONTACT TUG SCORPIUS OR THE U.S. COAST GUARD ON VHF CH 16 OR CH 13.

Scorpius hung out there from 1411Z to 1555Z on Oct 13, so the operation was quick.
It's wild speculation, but perhaps there was a little navigation incident with the drone ship after 7-4? I wish I had some video at PoLB later on Oct 13, or a historical marine track for Scorpius around Oct 11.
In any case, SpaceX has announced 7-5, which surely means they expect OCISLY to be ready.

Martin_G · « **Reply #9 on:** 10/16/2023 07:45 am »

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

Quote

SPACEX STARLINK 7-5 VANDENBERG SFB, CA
PRIMARY:   10/19/23   0702Z-1122Z
BACKUP:      10/20/23   0641Z-1100Z
      10/21/23   0619Z-1039Z
      10/22/23   0558Z-1017Z
      10/23/23   0536Z-0956Z
      10/24/23   0515Z-0934Z
      10/25/23   0453Z-0912Z

realnouns · « **Reply #10 on:** 10/17/2023 01:15 pm »

Shortest time Scorpius + OCISLY have ever departed for LZ prior to launch is 1.87 days (Starlink 2-4). With launch 1.74 days out, and both vessels still in PoLB, we could be looking at a delay.

realnouns · « **Reply #11 on:** 10/17/2023 07:44 pm »

NET Oct 20 @ 11:19pm PT / Oct 21 @ 2:19am ET

Quote from: realnouns on 10/17/2023 07:43 pm

https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jsp
Quote
SPACEX STARLINK 7-5 VANDENBERG SFB, CA
PRIMAR :   10/21/23   0619Z-1039Z
BACKUP:      10/22/23   0558Z-1017Z
      10/23/23   0536Z-0956Z
      10/24/23   0515Z-0934Z
      10/25/23   0453Z-0912Z

realnouns · « **Reply #12 on:** 10/19/2023 02:28 am »

Scorpius + OCISLY departed PoLB on Oct 18 @ 6:09pm PT / 9:09pm ET

realnouns · « **Reply #13 on:** 10/19/2023 05:59 pm »

Go Beyond (Go Crusader) departed PoLB on Oct 19 @ 10:52am PT / 1:52pm ET

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #14 on:** 10/19/2023 07:32 pm »

https://twitter.com/spaceoffshore/status/1715088428218396817

Quote

Of Course I Still Love You droneship got underway earlier for the Starlink 7-5 mission from VSFB.

Tug Kimberly C is towing (fka Scorpius) and support ship GO Beyond is following.

realnouns · « **Reply #15 on:** 10/20/2023 01:49 pm »

Quote from: realnouns on 10/20/2023 01:49 pm

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7253
Quote
Starlink Group 7-5
Launch Time
Sat Oct 21, 2023 3:39 AM EDT

Galactic Penguin SST · « **Reply #16 on:** 10/20/2023 05:53 pm »

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1715417559145881785

Will wait for official confirmation before editing the T-0.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #17 on:** 10/20/2023 11:19 pm »

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-5
B1061-16

Quote

SpaceX is targeting Saturday, October 21 at 12:47 a.m. PT for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. If needed, three backup opportunities are available starting at 1:23 a.m. PT until 3:00 a.m. PT. Six backup opportunities are also currently available on Saturday, October 21 starting at 11:26 p.m. PT until 2:50 a.m. PT on Sunday, October 22.

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

This is the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3, and six Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1715484729389285556

Quote

Targeting Saturday, October 21 for two Falcon 9 launches of @Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from California and Florida → http://spacex.com/launches

(Date in EDT and PDT)

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #18 on:** 10/21/2023 12:39 am »

PDF of online press kit and launch times.

07:47:00 UTC.
08:23:00 UTC.
09:20:00 UTC.
10:00:20 UTC.

SpaceX now provide a direct link to the livestream!

https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1rmxPMZnQPXKN

Ron Lee · « **Reply #19 on:** 10/21/2023 01:24 am »

Quote from: Steven Pietrobon on 10/21/2023 12:39 am

SpaceX now provide a direct link to the livestream!

https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1rmxPMZnQPXKN

I was excited then realized that it still requires a person to sign into Twitter to watch it.