SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-38 : KSC LC-39A : 28/29 January 2024 (01:10 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Thread for the Starlink 6-38 group launch.

NSF Threads for Starlink 6-38: Discussion

Launch 29 January 2024, at 01:10:00 UTC (8:10 pm EST), from KSC LC-39A, on booster 1062-18.  The first stage successfully landed aboard A Shortfall of Gravitas.

Payload 23 Starlink V2 Mini satellites to 43 degree inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit 284 x 292 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:

Four more Starlinks from Vandy
<snip>
1301-EX-ST-2023  Mission 1883 Starlink Group 6-38
<snip>
All are NET July [21]
ASDS    North  29  41  52   West  116  41  19

[Launch location changed to Florida.]
<snip>
2357-EX-ST-2023   Mission 1883 Starlink Group 6-38
NET late Dec. [30]
ASDS North  25  41  37   West  75  5  42

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated December 29:
<Ovzon-3, currently Jan 3>

Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40.

<Axiom-3, currently Jan 17>


The SLC-40 Starlink mission that may follow Starlink 6-37 is likely to launch in mid January 2024.  Assuming that SpaceX continues, again, to launch its Florida Starlink Group 6's in ascending numerical order, this launch will be 6-38.  It is currently listed with launch NET January, from either Kennedy LC-39A or Canaveral SLC-40.

However, LC-39A will not be available due to the launch campaign of Axiom-3.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7453

[zubenelgenubi]

Starlink 6-35 launches from SLC-40 NET January 7.

+ 4 days = NET January 11 Starlink 6-37?

+ 4 days = NET January 15

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated January 2:

<Starlink 6-35>
Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40.
<Axiom-3, currently launching Jan 17 from LC-39A>

Edit: Calculations assume both JRTI and ASOG are available.

[zubenelgenubi]

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated January 8:
<Starlink 6-37 launches from SLC-40 late Jan 13 EST/early Jan 14 UTC.>
<Axiom-3 launches from LC-39A Jan 17.>

Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40.

<Cygnus NG-20 launches from SLC-40 Jan 29.>

How long will JRTI/Octagrabber repairs prevent JRTI from performing recoveries?

Assuming no RTLS and no JRTI = ASOG first stage recovery, launch would be ~January 21.

[zubenelgenubi]

Will this launch be the last Florida Starlink in January?

LC-39A is occupied by Axiom-3 (launch Jan 17), then IM-1 (launch Feb 10), then Crew-8 (launch late Feb?).  All three launches are LZ-1 recoveries.

SLC-40 will be occupied by Cygnus NG-20 (launch Jan 29), then PACE (Feb 6).  Both launches are LZ-1 recoveries.

[zubenelgenubi]

Next SLC-40 launch?  Next ASOG recovery?
Starlink 6-37 successfully launched January 15 UTC.

+ 8 days (assumes JRTI is not available, no RTLS authorization) = NET January 23 UTC


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

Falcon 9 first stages are now apparently cleared for use up to twenty times for non-crewed launches, although that number is apparently more restricted for Cargo Dragon than these other payloads.

1064.6 and 1065.6 are the Falcon Heavy side boosters for Europa Clipper.

1080.5 is reserved for Axiom-3.  1072.1 is reserved for Cygnus NG-20.  (1072.1 may be assigned to Crew-8.)  (1072.1 assigned as a side booster for GOES-U.

1073.13 and 1076.11 may undergo modifications to become Falcon Heavy side boosters for a future launch, but both are currently available for "single-stick" launches.

Available first stages, with UTC date of most recent recovery:
1060.18  Sep 24
1062.18  Nov 28
1078.7    Dec 3
1077.10  Dec 7 Cygnus NG-20
1081.4    Dec 19
1069.13  Dec 29
1076.11  Jan 3 (maybe)
1067.11  Jan 7 (maybe)

Edit January 27: It’s B1062.18, skipping over B1060.18 yet again.

Edited

[raptorx2]

I thought 6-38, 6-39 do have filed RTLS option?

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=129774&RequestTimeout=1000

I sort of assumed/speculate that this string of RTLS launches (AX-3, 6-38, 6-39 Cygnus) would provide for "maintenance time" and perhaps install the in-motion gateways on both ASDS vessels?  Perhaps loft some V3 full size payloads to test/qualify before launching a large batch on Starship?

[zubenelgenubi]

Mention of future Florida Starlink launches from SLC-40 moves after January 18, Jan 29, February 6, and Feb 10 launches, and before Telkomsat.

LC-39A is successively occupied by the Axiom-3, IM-1, and Crew-8 launch campaigns.

Launch NET mid February, with JRTI returned to operation?

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated January 17:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Axiom-3 crew to the International Space Station from pad 39A on January 18 at 4:49 p.m. EST. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch Northrop Grumman's Cygnus NG-20 resupply mission to the ISS from pad 40 on January 29 at 12:29 p.m. EST. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch NASA's Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite from pad 40 on February 6 around 1:30 a.m. EST. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the Intuitive Machines IM-1 Nova-C lunar lander from pad 39A on February 10. The first stage 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 Telkomsat communications satellite for Indonesia from pad 40 on mid-February TBD. A Falcon 9 will launch the next crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station, Crew-8, from pad 39A on late February, likely around midnight EST. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch.

[zubenelgenubi]

Launch NET mid February, with JRTI returned to operation?

NextSpaceflight, updated January 18:
Launch NET February 2024

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Launch NET mid February, with JRTI returned to operation?

NextSpaceflight, updated January 18:
Launch NET February 2024

...or maybe not, there's a new 2nd stage de-orbit NOTAM out showing NET January 26 for this 6-38:

F0236/24 NOTAMN
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/1525S08311E710
A) YMMM
B) 2401260150 C) 2402010417
D) 2401260150 TO 2401260644
   2401270130 TO 2401270624
   2401280104 TO 2401280558
   2401290038 TO 2401290532
   2401300014 TO 2401300508
   2401302348 TO 2401310442
   2401312323 TO 2402010417
E) ROCKET LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE
FLW RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENT OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
HAZARDOUS OPS WILL BE CONDUCTED FOR ATMOSPHERIC RE-ENTRY AND
SPLASHDOWN OF LAUNCH VEHICLE FALCON-9 STARLINK 6-38 STAGE 2 WI THE
FOLLOWING AREAS:
2033S 07500E
0746S 08927E
0853S 09228E
2422S 07500E TO BEGINNING

PRIMARY LAUNCH 24 01 26 0150 THRU 24 01 26 0644
BACKUP AS PER FIELD D
F) SFC G) UNL

[raptorx2]

6-38 (RTLS Option) is the last Group 6 launch that has a currently Granted Experimental launch license.
6-39 6-40, 6-41, 6-42 are all pending in a nearly month of backlog at the FCC

[Ken the Bin]

Ben Cooper lists this launch as taking place from KSC LC-39A ...

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

(bold in original)

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on January 25 at 7 p.m. or later EST.

[Salo]

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

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on January 28 at 6:04-10:04 p.m. EST.

[Ken the Bin]

NGA Rocket Launching notice. No Space Debris notices yet.

231010Z JAN 24
NAVAREA IV 74/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   282304Z TO 290335Z JAN, ALTERNATE
   292238Z TO 300309Z, 302213Z TO 310244Z, 
   312148Z JAN TO 010219Z FEB, 012123Z TO 020154Z, 
   022057Z TO 030128Z AND 032032Z TO 040103Z FEB
   IN AREAS BOUND BY
   A. 28-39.03N 080-37.65W, 28-39.00N 080-28.00W,
      28-28.00N 080-06.00W, 28-24.00N 080-06.00W,
      28-20.00N 080-08.00W, 28-23.00N 080-19.00W,
      28-29.33N 080-32.49W.
   B. 26-15.00N 076-00.00W, 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,
      25-58.00N 075-59.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 040203Z FEB 24.//

[zubenelgenubi]

Apparently, no changes in ASDS availability for this launch? = ASOG only?

Thread title edited to "KSC LC-39A."

Edited

[OneSpeed]

NGA Rocket Launching notice. No Space Debris notices yet.

The launch hazard area A is a little different because it is from LC-39A instead of SLC-40. The hazard area B is the same as recent group 6 SLC-40 launches, so the ASDS should be 635km downrange.

... there's a new 2nd stage de-orbit NOTAM out showing NET January 26 for this 6-38:

The NOTAM aligns with the north-eastern segment of previous group 6 Space Debris areas, so they may be similar.

[Ken the Bin]

NGA Rocket Launching notice. No Space Debris notices yet.

<snip>

Here are the NGA Space Debris notices (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas).

251020Z JAN 24
HYDROLANT 188/24(57,61,71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   2230Z TO 0531Z DAILY 29 JAN THRU 04 FEB
   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 040631Z FEB 24.//

251020Z JAN 24
HYDROPAC 300/24(57,61,71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   2230Z TO 0531Z DAILY 29 JAN THRU 04 FEB
   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 040631Z FEB 24.//

[OneSpeed]

Here are the NGA Space Debris notices ...

Identical to previous group 6 Space Debris areas.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spaceoffshore/status/1750965123731030429

Departure! A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship is outbound to support Starlink 6-38. Tug Signet Warhorse III is towing.

nsf.live/spacecoast

[realnouns]

Signet Warhorse III + ASOG departed PC on Jan 26 @ 2:47pm ET

[Martin_G]

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

SPACE X EROP X2055 STARLINK 6-38
CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY 01/28/24   2304Z-0335Z
BACKUP:   01/29/24   2238Z-0309Z
   01/30/24   2213Z-0244Z
   01/21/24   2148Z-0219Z   
   02/01/24   2123Z-0154Z
   02/02/24   2057Z-0128Z
   02/03/24   2032Z-0103Z

[realnouns]

Bob departed PC on Jan 26 @ 7:11pm ET

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1751048494771515474

[Ken the Bin]

Primary launch time = 23:15 UTC. Booster = B1062.18.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-6-38

SpaceX is targeting Sunday, January 28 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 6:15 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 9:55 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, January 29 starting at 5:39 p.m. ET.

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

This is the 18th 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 10 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.

[Ken the Bin]

NSF webcasts (video id tOIVCJLL38k):

[Steven Pietrobon]

PDF of online press kit and link to Twitter livestream.

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

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/_jaykeegan_/status/1751652274365931608

Falcon 9 has rolled out to LC-39A ahead of launch this evening.

The 3 hour, 40 minute launch window opens at 6:15pm ET (23:15 UTC).

This is the first Starlink launch from 39A since September 2023, and 25th overall from this pad.

Watch live views on @NASASpaceflight Space Coast Live
nsf.live/spacecoast

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Doubleheader is currently still on:

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1751665759674397178

Targeting a doubleheader of Starlink launches from Florida and California tonight → spacex.com/launches

[Ron Lee]

Assuming a 615 PM EST launch, western Colorado down to El Paso TX may have a chance to see what I believe is the post-deorbit propellant dump from the second stage.   As launch times are delayed, visibility will shift westward.   I will provide sighting details once a pre-launch elset is provided by Dr Kelso.

Times will be based upon the Starlink elset.  The second stage may be off a little in time and position if the deorbit burn occurred well out to sea over the Pacific.  I would plan on being out at least ten minutes early partially to account for that unknown but primarily to give your eyes some time to adapt to the darkness.

I will be using binoculars to look for the satellites as well.  I will scan perpendicular to the path in the sky at one point (azimuth/elevation) 3-5 degrees and allow plus/minus three minutes (guess) for the second stage.

If anyone sees the satellites and the second stage, if you can approximate the time separation and which appears lower and about how many degrees, that would be very helpful.

Sacramento CA pass rises at 6:35:30 PM PST at azimuth 292 degrees.   Jupiter is around azimuth 205 degrees and elevation 62 degrees.  At 6:39:50 PM PST the satellites/second stage will pass about 13 degrees above Jupiter.

From San Diego CA the objects rise around azimuth 307 degrees at 6:37 PM PST them moves left to right as you are facing north.  Maximum elevation of 25 degrees is at azimuth 335 degrees at 6:40:20 PM.  Shadow entry occurs soon after that.

From Las Vegas, NV, rise at azimuth 295 degrees.  Maximum elevation of 30 degrees at azimuth 288 degrees at 6:40:20 PM

Portand OR has a 17 degree elevation pass with maximum elevation around azimuth 205 degrees at 6:39 PM PST.  It is moving right to left facing south-southwest.

Salt Lake City, UT has a short pass with maximum elevation of 17 degrees at azimuth 242 degrees at 7:40:20 MST  It is approaching that point from the right and enters shadow then.

Phoenix AZ has a short pass rising at azimuth 302 degrees at 7:37:50 PM MST.  Maximum elevation before shadow entry is at azimuth 303 degrees, elevation 16 degrees at 7:40:20 PM MST.

[Ken the Bin]

Launch is now targeting 00:21 on January 29 UTC.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-6-38

SpaceX is targeting Sunday, January 28 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 7:21 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 9:55 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, January 29 starting at 5:39 p.m. ET.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1751712731332555188

[Steven Pietrobon]

New T-0 of 00:37:30 UTC.

"SpaceX is targeting Sunday, January 28 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 7:37 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 9:55 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, January 29 starting at 5:39 p.m. ET."

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-6-38

[Ken the Bin]

Now 01:10 UTC.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-6-38

SpaceX is targeting Sunday, January 28 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 8:10 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 9:55 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, January 29 starting at 5:39 p.m. ET.

[Steven Pietrobon]

NSF stream has started.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1751760489795785015

Live from KSC, SpaceX's Falcon 9 is set for the Starlink 6-38 launch from 39A!

➡️youtube.com/watch?v=tOIVCJ…

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1751764456328102112

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1751764659420483932

F9/Starlink 6-38: This will be the:
-8th F9 flight of '24
-293rd F9 flight overall
-18th flight for booster B1062
-209th droneship landing
-267th landing overall
-112th-134th Starlinks to orbit in '24
-5,762th-5,784th Starlinks launched overall

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-38 minutes. The SpaceX launch director should be verifying go to start propellant loading.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-35 minutes. First stage LOX loading and first and second stage RP-1 loading should be starting about now.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-30 minutes. Frost forming at base of first stage LOX tank.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1751767147876082134

T-30 minutes until Falcon 9’s launch of 23 @Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida → spacex.com/launches

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-25 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-20 minute vent. Second stage RP-1 loading should be completed about now.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-16 minutes. Second stage LOX loading should be starting about now.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1751770287043924459

T-20 minute vent.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-10 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-7 minutes. Engine chill should be starting about now.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Twitter livestream has ended! Scrub?

[Steven Pietrobon]

Is there a new Twitter stream?

T-5 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-4 minutes. The strongback should be retracting.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-3 minutes. First stage LOX loading should be completed.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-2 minutes. Second stage LOX loading should be complete.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1751774210924671254

Watch Falcon 9 launch 23 Starlink satellites to orbit

[Mark McCombs]

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

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-1 minute. Falcon 9 is in startup.

LD is go for launch.

[Ron Lee]

Coverage here

https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/01/28/live-coverage-spacex-to-launch-falcon-9-rocket-with-starlink-satellites-from-cape-canaveral/

[Steven Pietrobon]

Liftoff!

[FutureSpaceTourist]

NSF liftoff views

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1751774851545563248

F9/Starlink 6-38: LIFTOFF! At 8:10:00pm EST (0110 UTC)

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+1 minute.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1751774958215147973

SpaceX Falcon 9 B1062-18 launches the Starlink 6-38 mission from KSC 39A.

NSF Livestream:
youtube.com/watch?v=tOIVCJ…

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+2 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

First stage separation.

Ignition.

T+3 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Fairing separation.

T+4 minutes.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1751775583959228675

Staging 1-2.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+5 minutes.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1751775817892258038

Nice plume still seen from the ground.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Link to Twitter livestream.

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

T+6 minutes.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

NSF view of entry burn

[Steven Pietrobon]

Entry burn.

T+7 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+8 minutes.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1751776976522690788

18 flights completed for B1062!

[Steven Pietrobon]

Landing burn.

Touchdown!

Cutoff.

T+9 minutes. Nominal park orbit insertion.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Pad clear

[Steven Pietrobon]

Upcoming events.

00:54:04 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:53:06 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:05:22 Starlink satellites deploy

[FutureSpaceTourist]

More landing shots

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/manumazzanti/status/1751778988454748304

Another 23 satellites #Starlink on their way to orbit aboard a #Falcon9 that just took off minutes ago from platform 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.

Its first stage already landed in "A Shortfall of Gravitas". It was his 18th flight.

In a little while, another one from California.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cygnusx112/status/1751777905414177207

Starlink 6-38 headed to space on a Falcon 9. Stayed home to watch this one tonight.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1751779816419041584

Approximately 45 minutes until @Starlink satellite deployment

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1751779937458040961

The Starlink 6-38 mission has departed Kennedy Space Center in clear skies. Locals lined the coast of US-1 and were treated to a Falcon 9 roar and views of re-entry.

@NASASpaceflight replay: youtube.com/live/tOIVCJLL3…

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1751781323113373926

Falcon 9 launches 23 Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida’s Space Coast tonight 💫🚀🛰️

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/_mgde_/status/1751786260770001144

For the first time since September of last year, Falcon 9 lofts a batch of Starlink V2 mini satellites to LEO  from LC-39A.

Falcon 9 B1062.18 and Group 6-38: ✌🏻out girl scouts

Wouldn’t trade this life for anything.

📸 - @NASASpaceflight

📺 - youtube.com/live/tOIVCJLL3…

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+54 minutes and 4 seconds. Expected ignition for two seconds.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+1 hour 5 minutes and 22 seconds. Expected separation.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1751791340894265575

Deployment of 23 @Starlink satellites confirmed

[Ron Lee]

I just watched a very low pass and did see something.  I did not see a cloud typical of a propellant dump so I suspect that I saw the closely grouped cluster of satellites reflecting sunlight well since it was at least as bright as -1 magnitude.  The timing was consistent with Dr Kelso's pre-launch elset.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1751791340894265575

Deployment of 23 @Starlink satellites confirmed

Thanks to Steven, FST, and Galactic Penguin SST for the fine coverage.  Off to VSFB, catch you all there.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/marney_isaac/status/1751825863602004222

[zubenelgenubi]

Thanks to Steven, FST, and Galactic Penguin SST for the fine coverage.  Off to VSFB, catch you all there.

Thanks also to our NSF webcasters! 👏🖖

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1751867969192509874

Falcon 9 completes two launches within four hours from Florida and California, delivering 45 @Starlink satellites to orbit

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacebrandonb/status/1751836651821613143

Taking off from Historic Launch Complex 39A, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried another batch of 23 Starlink satellites into orbit tonight

📸: Me for @WeAreSpaceScout

[gsa]

The sky at the landing zone was so clear, you could see the droneship almost immediately after the entry burn conclusion.

[shiro]

Some reusability stats for this launch (Starlink Group 6-38):

Booster B1062.18 turnaround time:
61 days 20 hours 50 minutes
(its previous mission was Starlink Group 6-30 on Nov 28, 2023 UTC).

FYI: median turnaround time for Falcon 9 / Heavy boosters is currently 49.17 days *
* – based on the last 30 launches, excluding new first stages.

Launchpad LC-39A turnaround time:
10 days 3 hours 21 minutes
(the previous launch from this pad was Axiom-3 on Jan 18, 2024 UTC).

FYI: median turnaround time for LC-39A is currently 24.92 days *
* – based on the last 30 launches.

The same type of stats for previous SpaceX launches may be found on this spreadsheet online.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1752026451002769754

[realnouns]

Bob returned to PC on Jan 30 @ 11:39pm ET

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spaceoffshore/status/1752671328690123115

SpaceX's Bob arrived at Port Canaveral overnight with both fairing halves from the most recent Starlink launch!

nsf.live/spacecoast

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spaceoffshore/status/1752812354058748297

A Shortfall of Gravitas does it again...

nsf.live/spacecoast

[realnouns]

Signet Warhorse + ASOG + B1062 returned to PC on Jan 31 @ 5:01pm ET

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/gregscott_photo/status/1753068668744044562

Shot early this morning, booster B1062-18 from the Starlink 6-38 mission, is back in port with a slight lean. The right side leg is slightly compressed as its waits for transport back to #SpaceX hanger X for refurbishment for flight 19. #NASA @PortCanaveral

[Lewis007]

https://twitter.com/JennyHPhoto/status/1755954704301936820