SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-39 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 25 February 2024 (22:06 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Thread for the Starlink 6-39 group launch.

NSF Threads for Starlink 6-39: Discussion

Launch 25 February 2024, at 22:06:00 UTC (5:06 pm EST), from CCSFS SLC-40, on booster 1069-13.  The first stage successfully landed on A Shortfall Of Gravitas.

Payload 24 Starlink V2 Mini satellites to 43 degree inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit 275 x 283 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:

I thought SpaceX was going to stop doing these permits...
2509-EX-ST-2023  Mission 1911 Starlink Group 6-39 from FL
[Launch] NET mid-January [17]
ASDS North  25  41  37   West  75  5  42

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7461

Starlink Group 6-39
Launch Time
NET January, 2024

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>

The Florida Starlink mission expected to follow Starlink 6-38 is likely to launch circa January 20.  Assuming that SpaceX continues, again, to launch its Florida Starlink Group 6's in ascending numerical order, this launch will be 6-39.  It is currently listed with launch NET January, from either Kennedy LC-39A or Canaveral SLC-40.

There may be time for a Starlink launch campaign between Axiom-3 and IM-1?  Currently, twenty-two days, but maybe that is not enough margin?

Edit January 7/8:  Apparently, not enough margin.

[zubenelgenubi]

No mention of a LC-39A Starlink launch in the near future; also note the use of SLC-40 Jan 29 and Feb 6:
Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated January 8; my bold:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on January 13. A Falcon 9 will launch the Axiom-3 crew mission to the International Space Station from pad 39A on January 17 at 5:11 p.m. EST (Saturn V Center tickets now on sale). 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 Northrop Grumman's Cygnus NG-20 resupply mission to the ISS from pad 40 on January 29 around 12:30 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch NASA's Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite from pad 40 on February 6. A Falcon 9 will launch the Intuitive Machines IM-1 Nova-C lunar lander from pad 39A on February 10.

RTLS/ASDS first stage recovery?
JRTI back in the game when? ⚾️

[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).

SLC-40 will be occupied by Cygnus NG-20 (launch Jan 29), then PACE (Feb 6).

Will Starlink 6-39 be delayed into February?

[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.

NET late February, after Telkomsat HTS 113BT, 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.

Edited

[zubenelgenubi]

NET late February, after Telkomsat HTS 113BT, with JRTI returned to operation?

NextSpaceflight, updated January 18:
Launch NET February 2024

[crandles57]

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.

NET late February, after Telkomsat HTS 113BT, with JRTI returned to operation?

SLC40 having maintenance between launches 15th Jan and 29th Jan so yes Starling from SLC now after Feb 10th. On 39A, they have now inserted 6-38 on 26th Jan. So 8 days 18th to 26th to convert from dragon to std F9, and they may need a similar 8 days before IM-1? So could there be room for 6-39 somewhere from 30 Jan to 2 Feb?

Presumably ASOG catching booster from 6-38 so wouldn't be available for 6-39. So would need to be RTLS or JRTI to start heading back fairly soon. Probably unlikely but can we completely rule it out?

Edit: Delay of 6-38 to 28th pretty much rules that out.

[zubenelgenubi]

Recent Starlink 6-38 developments:

<snip>
...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

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.

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.

Starlink 6-39 would now be NET mid February?  No change from SLC-40 launch.
Keeping eyes open for clues toward first stage RTLS landing option.👀

[zubenelgenubi]

I think that there is time for a Starlink SLC-40 launch campaign and ASDS recovery between PACE and HTS 113BT.  More SLC-40 Starlink launches would follow HTS 113BT.
Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated January 24:

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. A Falcon 9 will launch Northrop Grumman's Cygnus NG-20 resupply mission to the ISS from pad 40 on January 29 at 12:30 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 14 at the earliest, in the middle of the night EST. 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 mid to late February, at midnight or later EST. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch.

[crandles57]

With IM-1 pushed back from 10th to 14th February, there might also be time for a pad 39A Starlink launch ~2 Feb. No droneships available so they would have to be ready to try a RTLS Starlink launch. Landing pads would be busy with landings on 30 Jan, 2 Feb and 6 Feb but doesn't seem impossible especially with 2 landing pads.

Ben Cooper suggests Starlinks only from pad 40 coming up soon so probably isn't happening. Perhaps not ready for RTLS Starlink launches would be most likely reason?

[zubenelgenubi]

I think that there is time for a Starlink SLC-40 launch campaign and ASDS recovery between PACE and HTS 113BT.  More SLC-40 Starlink launches would follow HTS 113BT.

My bold; Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated January 30:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch NASA's Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite from pad 40 on February 6 at 1:33 a.m. EST. 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 Intuitive Machines & NASA IM-1 Nova-C commercial lunar lander from pad 39A on February 14 at the earliest, in the middle of the night EST if that day. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. 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 February 22 around 3 a.m. EST or else February 29/March 1 around midnight EST TBD. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch.

Edit/add:
PACE February 6

+ 4 days SLC-40 turnaround
= Launch NET February 10?

[wannamoonbase]

I think that there is time for a Starlink SLC-40 launch campaign and ASDS recovery between PACE and HTS 113BT.  More SLC-40 Starlink launches would follow HTS 113BT.

My bold; Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated January 30:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch NASA's Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite from pad 40 on February 6 at 1:33 a.m. EST. 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 Intuitive Machines & NASA IM-1 Nova-C commercial lunar lander from pad 39A on February 14 at the earliest, in the middle of the night EST if that day. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. 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 February 22 around 3 a.m. EST or else February 29/March 1 around midnight EST TBD. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch.

I'm here for the RTLS bonanza!

[Galactic Penguin SST]

NET February 10 UTC (possibly also EST, would be after midnight) per this NOTAM:

F0471/24 NOTAMN
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/1614S08400E720
A) YMMM
B) 2402100750 C) 2402161244
D) DAILY 0750-1244
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 6-39 WI THE FOLLOWING
AREAS:
2033S  07500E
0746S  08927E
0853S  09228E
2422S  07500E TO BEGINNING
PRIMARY LAUNCH 240210
BACKUP AS PER FIELD D
F) SFC G) UNL

[zubenelgenubi]

FYI regarding upcoming ASDS recovery launches:

https://twitter.com/spaceoffshore/status/1753851772781625789

Just Read the Instructions droneship has wrapped a month-long visit to a shipyard and is heading home to Florida. Doug is towing.

[Ken the Bin]

No NGA notices yet, but this launch is now in the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory. Usual caveats, but it does fit in with the second stage reentry NOTAM posted above.

SPACE X STARLINK 6-39 (X2078), CCSFS, FL
PRIMARY:        02/10/24                0600Z-1031Z
BACKUP(S):      02/11/24-02/16/24       0600Z-1031Z

[zubenelgenubi]

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 or Cygnus than these other payloads.

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

1072.1 and 1086.1 are assigned as the side boosters for GOES-U.  1083.1 is reserved for Crew-8.

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 IM-1
1078.7    Dec 3 USSF-124/HBTSS
1069.13  Dec 29
1076.11  Jan 3
1067.17  Jan 7 Merah Putih 2
1073.13  Jan 15
1080.6    Jan 18 (maybe)

Edit February 23: It's B1069.13.

[Ken the Bin]

No NGA notices yet, but this launch is now in the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory. Usual caveats, but it does fit in with the second stage reentry NOTAM posted above.

<snip>

The NGA Space Debris notices have arrived (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas) but no Rocket Launching notice yet.

051039Z FEB 24
HYDROLANT 251/24(57,61,71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   0758Z TO 1227Z DAILY 10 THRU 16 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 161327Z FEB 24.//

051039Z FEB 24
HYDROPAC 429/24(57,61,71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   0758Z TO 1227Z DAILY 10 THRU 16 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 161327Z FEB 24.//

[zubenelgenubi]

Launch (likely) now NET 11 February ~06:00 UTC:

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1754700824650174763

Now targeting Wednesday, February 7 for Falcon 9 to launch @NASA's PACE mission due to expected high winds at LZ-1 during booster recovery → http://spacex.com/launches

No NGA notices yet, but this launch is now in the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory. Usual caveats, but it does fit in with the second stage reentry NOTAM posted above.

SPACE X STARLINK 6-39 (X2078), CCSFS, FL
PRIMARY:        02/10/24                0600Z-1031Z
BACKUP(S):      02/11/24-02/16/24       0600Z-1031Z

Edited

[Ken the Bin]

No NGA notices yet, but this launch is now in the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory. Usual caveats, but it does fit in with the second stage reentry NOTAM posted above.

<snip>

The NGA Space Debris notices have arrived (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas) but no Rocket Launching notice yet.

<snip>

Here's the NGA Rocket Launching notice, for February 10 to 16. Of couse with the delay to PACE, that's not going to stand.

060940Z FEB 24
NAVAREA IV 130/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 
   100600Z TO 101031Z FEB, ALTERNATE
   0600Z TO 1031Z DAILY 11 THRU 16 FEB
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39.00N 080-37.69W, 28-39.00N 080-28.00W,
      28-30.00N 080-10.00W, 28-24.00N 080-09.00W,
      28-21.00N 080-11.00W, 28-23.00N 080-19.00W,
      28-29.35N 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 161131Z FEB 24.//

[crandles57]

Here's the NGA Rocket Launching notice, for February 10 to 16. Of couse with the delay to PACE, that's not going to stand.

Did a couple of hours less than 4 days as long ago as 3-7 August 2023. Maybe this 6 month period is time enough for some further improvements, especially as Musk talked about getting close to 24 hour pad turnaround this year if I heard that correctly. Probably want the droneship to be ready again for 20th so don't want to delay it much. Does this make it a good candidate for a try at 3 day pad turnaround?