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?

[Ken the Bin]

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?

After I posted it, I thought that I probably should have said "not likely to stand" rather than "not going to stand".

Maybe Alex or someone has some insight into what SpaceX may be planning for pad turnaround reduction.

[zubenelgenubi]

FAA COPA at https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jsp

SPACE X STARLINK 7-13, VANDENBERG SFB, CA
PRIMARY:   02/07/24      0500Z-0607Z
BACKUP(S):   02/08/24      0117Z-0546Z   

SPACE X F9 PACE (X1817), CCSFS, FL
PRIMARY:   02/08/24      0625Z-0708Z
BACKUP(S):   02/09/24-02/12/24   0625Z-0708Z

DRAGON AXIOM-3 RE-ENTRY, ZJX
PRIMARY:    02/08/24      1335Z-1405Z
BACKUP(S):   02/08/24      1340Z-1410Z
      02/08/24      2150Z-2220Z

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

No mention of delaying this launch to February 11.  Edit: Or February 12.

And now:

SpaceX mission webpage ...
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=pace

SpaceX is targeting Thursday February 8 at 1:33 a.m. ET for a Falcon 9 launch of NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission to a sun-synchronous orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. If needed, a backup opportunity is available Friday, February 9 at the same time.

[zubenelgenubi]

FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory
https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jsp

LAUNCH/REENTRY:
SPACE X STARLINK 7-13, VANDENBERG SFB, CA
PRIMARY:   02/09/24      0055Z-0524Z   
BACKUP(S):   02/10/24      0034Z-0503Z
      02/10-11/24      2357Z-0402Z
      02/11-12/24      2329Z-0358Z   

SPACE X F9 PACE (X1817), CCSFS, FL
PRIMARY:   02/08/24      0625Z-0708Z
BACKUP(S):   02/09/24-02/12/24   0625Z-0708Z

DRAGON AXIOM-3 RE-ENTRY, ZJX
PRIMARY:    02/09/24      1315Z-1345Z
BACKUP(S):   02/10/24      1310Z-1340Z
      02/10/24      1315Z-1345Z

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

No change.

[zubenelgenubi]

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1755480344013262899

F9/PACE: LIFTOFF! At 1:33:36am EST (0633 UTC).

Let's see how fast SpaceX can "reload" SLC-40.

Also, barring documentary evidence, the next predictor of launch date would be an ASDS departing Port of Canaveral.

And, ASOG or JRTI?

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1755480344013262899

F9/PACE: LIFTOFF! At 1:33:36am EST (0633 UTC).

Let's see how fast SpaceX can "reload" SLC-40.

Also, barring documentary evidence, the next predictor of launch date would be an ASDS departing Port of Canaveral.

And, ASOG or JRTI?

I also like the new "Blue-ish" lighting in the crew tower.

[Ken the Bin]

Postponed TBD per this NGA cancellation notice of the Rocket Launching notice.

081429Z FEB 24
NAVAREA IV 142/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
CANCEL NAVAREA IV 130/24 AND THIS MSG,
OPERATIONS POSTPONED.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

NET early February 24 UTC/late February 23 EST per these re-issued NOTAMs - this hints at it scheduled behind USSF-124 (February 15) and most probably HTS-113BT (February 20) at SLC-40.


A0490/24 NOTAMN
Q) FAJO/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/4209S02402E999
A) FAJO B) 2402240014 C) 2403010237
D) 24 FEB 0014-0508, 24-25 FEB 2349-0443, 25-26 FEB 2324-0418, 26-27
FEB 2259-0353, 27-28 FEB 2234-0328, 28-29 FEB 2208-0302, 29 FEB-01
MAR 2143-0237
E) AREA BOUNDED BY (4256S 00224W, 4045S 00221W, 3210S 05700E, 3515S
05700E): SPACEX STARLINK 6-38 ROCKET RE-ENTRY OPS TAKING PLACE.
APPLICABLE AIRSPACE DOWNGRADED TO CLASS G.
F) SFC G) UNL

F0550/24 NOTAMR F0471/24
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/1614S08400E720
A) YMMM
B) 2402240014 C) 2403010237
D) 2402240014 TO 2402240508
   2402242349 TO 2402250443
   2402252324 TO 2402260418
   2402262259 TO 2402270353
   2402272234 TO 2402280328
   2402282208 TO 2402290302
   2402292143 TO 2403010237
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
F) SFC G) UNL

[Martin_G]

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

SPACE X STARLINK 6-39, CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:   TBD      TBD
BACKUP:      TBD      TBD

[zubenelgenubi]

Re: HTS 113BT:

Signet Warhorse III + JRTI departed PC on Feb 16 @ 6:48pm ET

ASOG should serve Starlink 6-39.

[Ken the Bin]

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

190459Z FEB 24
HYDROLANT 346/24(57,61,71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   2126Z TO 0426Z DAILY 24 FEB THRU 02 MAR
   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 030526Z MAR 24.//

190459Z FEB 24
HYDROPAC 573/24(57,61,71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   2126Z TO 0426Z DAILY 24 FEB THRU 02 MAR
   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 030526Z MAR 24.//

[Ken the Bin]

Here's the NGA Rocket Launching notice.

091859Z FEB 24
NAVAREA IV 189/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
BAHAMAS.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   242159Z TO 250230Z FEB, ALTERNATE 
   252134Z TO 260205Z, 262109Z TO 270140Z, 
   272044Z TO 280115Z, 282018Z TO 290049Z,
   291953Z FEB TO 010024Z MAR
   AND 011928Z TO 012359Z MAR.
   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 020059Z MAR 24.

[OneSpeed]

Here's the NGA Rocket Launching notice.

Here are the maps from the NGA notices. ASDS 630km downrange.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1760071958509838786

ASOG droneship and Doug have departed Port Canaveral to support the Starlink 6-39 mission. 🎥 http://nsf.live/spacecoast

[realnouns]

Doug + ASOG departed PC on Feb 20 @ 6:04pm ET

[xm11]

[Martin_G]

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

SPACE X STARLINK 6-39  CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:   02/24/24   2159Z-0230Z
BACKUP:      02/25/24   2134Z-0205Z
      02/26/24   2109Z-0140Z
      02/27/24   2044Z-0115Z
      02/28/24   2018Z-0049Z
      02/29/24   1953Z-0024Z
      03/01/24   1928Z-2359Z

[GewoonLukas_]

Falcon 9 Fairing just rolled by the VAB captured by @NASASpaceflight Space Coast Live. Might be for the upcoming Starlink 6-39 mission NET Saturday, Feb 24th, 4:59PM EST. http://nsf.live/spacecoast

https://twitter.com/RoughRidersShow/status/1760379294621057445

[gongora]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1760409896401748223

CelesTrak has pre-launch SupGP data for the @Starlink Group 6-39 launch from Cape Canaveral on 2024-02-24 at 21:59:40 UTC: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g6-39. Deployment of 24 satellites at 23:04:37.120 UTC. Data for 5 backup launch opportunities also provided: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/.

275x283km orbit

[catdlr]

Comment from Alex:

https://twitter.com/Alexphysics13/status/1760420266612564287

This will be the first launch of a Falcon 9 with 24 Starlink v2 Mini satellites. Changes like these are likely thanks to improvements to Falcon 9's performance but also probably as a result of optimizing the integration of these satellites with the rocket.

And there's also the potential for the satellites to have gone on a diet as well. SpaceX has launched already about 50 missions of Starlink v2 Mini satellites so there has been plenty of time to optimize their mass.

I guess I also forgot to mention that the insertion orbit is about 10km lower so that also helps a bit in not needing as much performance from the rocket as prior launches but I don't think it makes a huge difference

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[Ken the Bin]

L-1 weather forecast. >95% 'Go' for February 24 and February 25. Upper-Level Wind Shear risk is Low-Moderate for both days. All other Additional Risk Criteria are Low.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1761123585098494164

Targeting Saturday, February 24 for a Falcon 9 launch of 24 @Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Florida → http://spacex.com/launches
12:19 PM · Feb 23, 2024

[SpaceFinnOriginal]

"This is the 13th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 1, SES-18 and SES-19, and eight Starlink missions."
 = 1069-13
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-6-39

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-6-39

SpaceX is targeting Saturday, February 24 for a Falcon 9 launch of 24 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 4:59 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 8:57 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Sunday, February 25 starting at 4:34 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 13th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 1, SES-18 and SES-19, and eight Starlink missions (B1069.13). Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

[catdlr]

For Steven P use for coverage.

SpaceX direct broadcast link:  https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1OdJrjbVpNVJX

[spacenuance]

Um so is this how they are adding an extra sat to the stack? . . .

[catdlr]

Um so is this how they are adding an extra sat to the stack? . . .

This event sequence was for last night's 22 sats.  Are you saying the booster is running an extra 2 seconds?

[GewoonLukas_]

Um so is this how they are adding an extra sat to the stack? . . .

This event sequence was for last night's 22 sats.  Are you saying the booster is running an extra 2 seconds?

There's only 1 second between stage sep and stage 2 ignition

[catdlr]

Um so is this how they are adding an extra sat to the stack? . . .

This event sequence was for last night's 22 sats.  Are you saying the booster is running an extra 2 seconds?

There's only 1 second between stage sep and stage 2 ignition

same as last night at VSFB.

[Steven Pietrobon]

For Steven P use for coverage.

SpaceX direct broadcast link:  https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1OdJrjbVpNVJX

Thanks, but I won't be covering this launch. Here's the PDF of the online press kit.

[Ken the Bin]

Now targeting 23:41 UTC.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-6-39

SpaceX is targeting Saturday, February 24 for a Falcon 9 launch of 24 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 6:41 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 8:57 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Sunday, February 25 starting at 4:34 p.m. ET.

[Ron Lee]

With a 6:41 PM EST launch and local Sunset at 6:18 PM EST and Civil Twilight at 6:42 PM EST,  jellyfish effects could be good.

[Ken the Bin]

Now targeting the final launch opportunity on February 25 at 01:59 UTC.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-6-39

SpaceX is targeting Saturday, February 24 for a Falcon 9 launch of 24 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 8:59 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Sunday, February 25 starting at 4:34 p.m. ET.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1761537457932456380

UPDATE #3:
@Starlink
 is now targeting the last backup launch opportunity on 2024-02-25 at 01:59:00 UTC with deployment on 2024-02-25 03:03:57.120 UTC: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/.

[catdlr]

UPDATE:

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1761541461001269523

Now targeting Sunday, February 25 for Falcon 9 to launch @Starlink → http://spacex.com/launches

Post dated: 3:59 PM · Feb 24, 2024

[Ken the Bin]

Primary launch time = February 25 at 21:34 UTC.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-6-39

SpaceX is targeting Sunday, February 25 for a Falcon 9 launch of 24 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 4:34 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 8:34 p.m. ET.

[Ken the Bin]

A new cancel-and-replace NGA Rocket Launching notice. Unless I missed something, it does nothing except remove the hazard warning period that started on February 24. It does not add any additional backup days.

250015Z FEB 24
NAVAREA IV 212/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
BAHAMAS.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   252134Z TO 260205Z FEB, ALTERNATE
   262109Z TO 270140Z, 272044Z TO 280115Z,
   282018Z TO 290049Z, 291953Z FEB TO 010024Z MAR,
   011928Z TO 012359Z MAR
   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 NAVAREA IV 189/24.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 020059Z MAR 24.

[Ken the Bin]

New L-1 weather forecast. >95% 'Go' for February 25 and February 26. Upper-Level Wind Shear risk is Low-Moderate for February 25. All other Additional Risk Criteria are Low.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

New launch times:

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1761572328683790608

CelesTrak has pre-launch SupGP data for the @Starlink Group 6-39 launch from Cape Canaveral on 2024-02-25 at 21:34:00 UTC: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g6-39. Deployment of 24 satellites at 22:38:57.120 UTC. Data for 10 backup launch opportunities also provided: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/.

[catdlr]

Updated 25 Feb 2024 (2024/02/25) 06:02 EST

SPACE X STARLINK 6-39  CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
== PRIMARY ==
02/25/24 / 2134Z-0205Z
== BACKUP(S) ==
02/26/24 / 2109Z-0140Z
02/27/24 / 2044Z-0115Z
02/28/24 / 2018Z-0049Z
02/29/24 / 1953Z-0024Z
03/01/24 / 1928Z-2359Z

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1761836577008009618

UPDATE #2: And @Starlink now reports they are currently targeting the 2nd backup launch opportunity at 22:06:00 UTC with deployment at 23:10:57.120 UTC.
11:32 AM · Feb 25, 2024

[Steven Pietrobon]

NSF stream has started.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1761860468744790434

Live from SLC-40, SpaceX Falcon 9 B1069-13 is set to launch the Starlink 6-39 mission.

NSF Livestream:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=5MIde52DeeE

[catdlr]

[catdlr]

SpaceX Direct Broadcast link:

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

[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.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1761866527824101879

Propellant load has begun for today’s launch of 24 @Starlink satellites from Florida. All systems and weather are currently go for launch

[Steven Pietrobon]

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

[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.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-10 minutes. Wonder of the Seas cruise ship exiting Port Canaveral.

[Steven Pietrobon]

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

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-6 minutes. First stage RP-1 loading should be complete about now.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-5 minutes. Vehicle tanks pressing for strongback retract.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-4 minutes. Strongback is retracting.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-3 minutes. First stage LOX load is complete.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-2 minutes. Second stage LOX load is complete.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-1 minute. Falcon 9 is in startup.

LD is go for launch.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Liftoff!

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+1 minute.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+2 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

First stage separation.

Ignition.

T+3 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Fairing separation.

T+4 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+5 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+6 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Entry burn.

T+7 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+8 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Landing burn.

Touchdown!

Cutoff.

T+9 minutes. Nominal orbit insertion.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Upcoming events.

00:53:39 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:53:41 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:04:48 Starlink satellites deploy

[spacenuance]

Looks like the performance increase at least partially came from the first stage. Booster staged at about 200km/hr faster then previous group 6 missions, and slowed down about 800km/hr less on the reentry burn.

[catdlr]

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/CarstensPete/status/1761885350975111223

Today’s SpaceX launch of Starlink 6-39 from Cape Canaveral, FL.
Second shot is the fairings falling away from second stage.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1761883149879955960

Falcon 9 launches 24 Starlink satellites from Florida this afternoon

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+53 minutes and 39 seconds. Expected ignition for two seconds.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1761880228488466943

Another Shuttle just went up! AKA: Falcon 9 launching Starlink 6-39.

Launches are a local past time and the Shuttle program was a big part of our culture. It is not uncommon to hear a local refer to any launch in this fashion.
 
@NASASpaceflight

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1761878829826789697

Falcon 9’s first stage lands on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1761876370207174765

Payload fairing separation confirmed, exposing our 24 @Starlink satellites to space

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1761877580326584772

Bullseye! 13 missions completed for Falcon 9 B1069.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+1 hour 4 minutes and 18 seconds. Expected separation.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1761892451978199343

Deployment of @Starlink satellites confirmed. Falcon 9’s second stage has an additional deorbit burn remaining

[catdlr]

Thanks to Steven P. and Galactic Penguin SST for their coverage,  and to the NSF Livestream crew.

[catdlr]

Summary video

[realnouns]

Doug + ASOG departed PC on Feb 20 @ 6:04pm ET

Looks like possibly we'll see Kurt J Crosby tow ASOG back into Port Canaveral.  Swapped with Doug so he could scoop up the fairings?

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1761897755663114406

Falcon 9 launches 24 @Starlink satellites from Florida

[Josh_from_Canada]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1761897755663114406

Falcon 9 launches 24 @Starlink satellites from Florida

cool seeing JRTI in the background of the image 

[shiro]

Some reusability stats for this launch (Starlink Group 6-39):

Booster B1069.13 turnaround time:
58 days 18 hours 5 minutes
(its previous mission was Starlink Group 6-36 on Dec 29, 2023 UTC).

FYI: median turnaround time for Falcon 9 / Heavy boosters is currently 51.59 days *
* – based on the last 30 launches, excluding new first stages.

Launchpad SLC-40 turnaround time:
5 days 1 hour 55 minutes
(the previous launch from this pad was Merah Putih 2 (HTS 113BT) on Feb 20, 2024 UTC).

FYI: median turnaround time for SLC-40 is currently 5.24 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/_rykllan/status/1761981640367099926

Recent 11th #Starlink launch of this year via #SpaceX's #Falcon9 vehicle

https://twitter.com/_rykllan/status/1761981644070629654

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1762019803630563800

Due to continued design improvements, this Falcon 9 carried its highest-ever payload of 17.5 tons of useful load to a useful orbit

[edkyle99]

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1762019803630563800

Due to continued design improvements, this Falcon 9 carried its highest-ever payload of 17.5 tons of useful load to a useful orbit

17,500 kg / 24 = 729.17 kg for each satellite on this down-range-first-stage-recovery flight, assuming "useful load" means Starlinks.

 - Ed Kyle

[Comga]

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1762019803630563800

Due to continued design improvements, this Falcon 9 carried its highest-ever payload of 17.5 tons of useful load to a useful orbit

17,500 kg / 24 = 729.17 kg for each satellite on this down-range-first-stage-recovery flight, assuming "useful load" means Starlinks.

 - Ed Kyle

To be pedantic, and not falsely precise, it's 730 kg per satellite, or maybe 729 kg
You can't convert two or three decimals of precision in the input to five in the output.
(trailing zeros don't count.  It's "17.5 tons", not 17,500.0 kg and we don't need to debate the meaning of "useful load".)

A more interesting question is why Musk said "design improvements" instead of "optimized operations".
The suggestion made earlier is that the first stage burns were shifted to before MECO from the entry burn, making the staging velocity greater and dealing with less entry braking.
How that could be due to a "design improvement" is a good question.
What other "design improvements" could they have made without it being visible like strethed stages or extended nozzels. 
I don't think doing without stiffening rings would be significant.
Someone suggested that SpaceX reduced the interval from MECO to SES-1 in the timeline, but that did not appear to be case watching the launch replay.  Plus that's not a "design improvement".

[abaddon]

A more interesting question is why Musk said "design improvements" instead of "optimized operations".
The suggestion made earlier is that the first stage burns were shifted to before MECO from the entry burn, making the staging velocity greater and dealing with less entry braking.
How that could be due to a "design improvement" is a good question.

How about a booster improvement to allow it to safely re-enter the atmosphere at a higher velocity?  Maybe they revamped the booster armor at the base in a recent refurbishment.

[OneSpeed]

Here is a comparison of the webcast telemetry from Starlink 6-38 and 6-39, with payloads of 23 and 24 V2 Mini satellites respectively.

Differences include:

1. 6-39 had a roughly 2 second narrower throttle bucket, which would have slightly reduced gravity losses, and gained it an extra 16m/s. 6-39 maintained and increassed this advantage all the way to MECO, at 2275m/s vs 2218m/s, a difference of 57m/s. This would have required a throttle setting about 1.4% higher than the usual 92% I estimate from the end of the throttle bucket to booster terminal guidance, and is just visible on the acceleration plots.

2. The second stage burns were similar, although acceleration was slightly less on 6-39 towards the end of the burn, due to the heavier payload.

3. The booster re-entry burns produced similar ΔV, but the 6-39 re-entry glide washed off some 240m/s more than 6-38, saving enough propellant for the higher throttle boost phase. Conversely, I estimate that 6-39 landed some 34km further downrange.

[catdlr]

[realnouns]

Doug + ASOG departed PC on Feb 20 @ 6:04pm ET

Looks like possibly we'll see Kurt J Crosby tow ASOG back into Port Canaveral.  Swapped with Doug so he could scoop up the fairings?

Scratch that.  Link up was temporary.  Kurt J Crosby heading southeast.  Doug + ASOG on their way, arrival at least another day.

[realnouns]

Doug + ASOG + B1069 returned to PC on Feb 28 @ 9:11am ET

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spaceoffshore/status/1762894601424109661

SpaceX's Doug arrived at Port Canaveral this morning towing Falcon 9 B1069 atop ASOG droneship + both fairing halves from Starlink 6-39... all in one neat package! 😇

nsf.live/spacecoast

[PM3]

This was the only Starlink launch with 24 satellites so far, instead of the usual 23 from the Cape. And Space-Track so far has catalogued only 18 of them. What is going on here?

NORAD    SATNAME          INTLDES     PERIOD  INCL    APO/PERI

59023    STARLINK-30996   2024-038A   90.47   43.01   299   297
59024    STARLINK-31006   2024-038B   90.22   43.01   286   284
59025    STARLINK-31178   2024-038C   90.47   43.01   298   296
59026    STARLINK-31227   2024-038D   90.46   43.01   298   296
59027    STARLINK-30863   2024-038E   90.45   43.01   298   296
59028    STARLINK-31206   2024-038F   90.46   43.01   298   296
59029    STARLINK-31224   2024-038G   90.45   43.01   298   295
59030    STARLINK-31186   2024-038H   90.44   43.01   298   295
59031    STARLINK-31211   2024-038J   90.44   43.01   297   295
59032    STARLINK-30892   2024-038K   90.43   43.01   297   294
59033    STARLINK-31210   2024-038L   90.43   43.01   297   294
59034    STARLINK-31231   2024-038M   90.42   43.01   296   294
59035    STARLINK-31207   2024-038N   90.42   43.01   296   294
59036    STARLINK-31217   2024-038P   90.41   43.01   296   294
59037    STARLINK-31208   2024-038Q   90.24   43.01   288   284
59038    STARLINK-31235   2024-038R   90.40   43.00   296   293
59039    STARLINK-31220   2024-038S   90.41   43.01   296   293
59040    STARLINK-31225   2024-038T   90.40   43.00   295   292

[jcm]

This was the only Starlink launch with 24 satellites so far, instead of the usual 23 from the Cape. And Space-Track so far has catalogued only 18 of them. What is going on here?

NORAD    SATNAME          INTLDES     PERIOD  INCL    APO/PERI

59023    STARLINK-30996   2024-038A   90.47   43.01   299   297
59024    STARLINK-31006   2024-038B   90.22   43.01   286   284
59025    STARLINK-31178   2024-038C   90.47   43.01   298   296
59026    STARLINK-31227   2024-038D   90.46   43.01   298   296
59027    STARLINK-30863   2024-038E   90.45   43.01   298   296
59028    STARLINK-31206   2024-038F   90.46   43.01   298   296
59029    STARLINK-31224   2024-038G   90.45   43.01   298   295
59030    STARLINK-31186   2024-038H   90.44   43.01   298   295
59031    STARLINK-31211   2024-038J   90.44   43.01   297   295
59032    STARLINK-30892   2024-038K   90.43   43.01   297   294
59033    STARLINK-31210   2024-038L   90.43   43.01   297   294
59034    STARLINK-31231   2024-038M   90.42   43.01   296   294
59035    STARLINK-31207   2024-038N   90.42   43.01   296   294
59036    STARLINK-31217   2024-038P   90.41   43.01   296   294
59037    STARLINK-31208   2024-038Q   90.24   43.01   288   284
59038    STARLINK-31235   2024-038R   90.40   43.00   296   293
59039    STARLINK-31220   2024-038S   90.41   43.01   296   293
59040    STARLINK-31225   2024-038T   90.40   43.00   295   292

There are TLEs being issued for 59041 to 59046, I guess the satcat page hasn't caught up yet