SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 7-12 : VSFB SLC-4E : 28/29 January 2024 (05:57 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Thread for the Starlink Group 7-12 launch.

Launch 29 January 2024, 05:57:20 UTC (28 Jan 9:57 pm PST), from Vandenberg SFB SLC-4E, on booster 1075-9.  The first stage successfully landed aboard Of Course I Still Love You.

Payload 22 Starlink V2 Mini satellites to 53 degree inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory.  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]

Cross-posts:

Four more Starlinks from Vandy
<snip>
2092-EX-ST-2023  Mission 2194 Starlink Group 7-12
ASDS       North  29  52  50   West  116  45  3
[Launch NET Nov 12]

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7323

Starlink Group 7-12
Launch Time
NET December, 2023

Starlink 7-12 likely follows Starlink 7-11, with a launch NET January.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7323

Starlink Group 7-12
Launch Time
NET January, 2024

Currently, launch should be NET late January.  (Starlink 7-11 is currently scheduled to launch January 19.)

4 day OCISLY turnaround?  Is that possible?
What is the approximate minimum turnaround with calm seas Long Beach to the Group 7 recovery zone and back (not counting dock operations)? 🌊
 

[zubenelgenubi]

Starlink 7-11 successfully launched January 24 UTC.

Will SpaceX squeeze in launching Starlink 7-12 before the end of the month (7 days)?


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

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

Available first stages, with UTC date of most recent recovery:
1071.14   Dec 8
1075.9     Dec 24
1082.2     Jan 3

Edit January 27: It's B1075.9, skipping over B1071.14.

[catdlr]

Starlink 7-11 successfully launched January 24 UTC.

Will SpaceX squeeze in launching Starlink 7-12 before the end of the month (7 days)?

I was thinking the same thought, there's probably a backlog, lets see how fast the crew at SpaceX VSFB can get the pad turnaround.

[Ken the Bin]

NGA Space Debris notice that is effectively a Rocket Launching notice.

241029Z JAN 24
NAVAREA XII 25/24(21).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
MEXICO.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   290210Z TO 290638Z, 300148Z TO 300616Z,
   310127Z TO 310555Z JAN, 010105Z TO 010533Z,
   020044Z TO 020512Z, 030022Z TO 030450Z AND
   040001Z TO 040429Z FEB IN AREA BOUND BY
   29-09.00N 116-24.00W, 29-18.00N 116-43.00W,
   30-31.00N 117-14.00W, 30-31.00N 117-13.00W,
   30-17.00N 116-46.00W, 29-41.00N 116-04.00W,
   29-23.00N 116-02.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 040529Z FEB 24.//

Additionally there are these two multi-launch Space Debris notices still in effect (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas).

270500Z DEC 23
HYDROPAC 4029/23(22).
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 06, DNC 07.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   310001Z DEC 23 TO 210001Z FEB 24
   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 210101Z FEB 24.//

270500Z DEC 23
NAVAREA XII 885/23(22).
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   310001Z DEC 23 TO 210001Z FEB 24
   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 210101Z FEB 24.//

[OneSpeed]

NGA Space Debris notice that is effectively a Rocket Launching notice.

Maps from the NGA notices. Identical to 7-11, and the ASDS is 642km downrange.

[Martin_G]

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

SPACE X STARLINK 7-12
VANDENBERG SFB, CA
PRIMARY:01/29/24   0210Z-0638Z BACKUP:   01/30/24   0148Z-0616Z
   01/21/24   0127Z-0555Z   
   02/01/24   0105Z-0533Z
   02/02/24   0044Z-0512Z
   02/03/24   0022Z-0450Z
   02/04/24   0001Z-0429Z

[Zed_Noir]

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

SPACE X STARLINK 7-12
VANDENBERG SFB, CA
PRIMARY:01/29/24   0210Z-0638Z BACKUP:   01/30/24   0148Z-0616Z
   01/21/24   0127Z-0555Z   
   02/01/24   0105Z-0533Z
   02/02/24   0044Z-0512Z
   02/03/24   0022Z-0450Z
   02/04/24   0001Z-0429Z

Presuming the date in bold is suppose to be 01/31/24

[realnouns]

Debra C + OCISLY departed PoLB on Jan 26 @ 10:16pm PT / Jan 27 @ 1:16am ET

[realnouns]

Go Beyond (fka. Go Crusader) departed PoLB on Jan 27 @ 10:34am PT / 1:34pm ET

[Ken the Bin]

Primary launch time = 02:16 UTC. Booster = B1075.9.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-12

SpaceX is targeting Sunday, January 28 for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 6:16 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 10:03 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, January 29 starting at 5:49 p.m. PT.

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

This is the ninth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SDA-0A, SARah-2, 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.

[Steven Pietrobon]

PDF of online press kit and link to Twitter livestream.

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

[catdlr]

24-hour weather update:

Looks great, what a week can make.  West Coast basking in mild weather and sunny skies.  Intense High is keeping rain away for now.

 

[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

[raptorx2]

First launch window shows launch (02:16UTC Jan29) oR 6:16PM PST Jan 28
Sunset Sothern California ~5:16PM
Astronomical Twilight begins at 6:13PM
Cloud cover permitting

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/Raul74Cz/status/1751709830870352100

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1751713928525295727

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Now tracking 7:29 pm PST = 03:29:20 UTC.

Edit/add
https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1751771964975513668

UPDATE #1: @SpaceX is now targeting the 4th backup launch opportunity for #Starlink Group 7-12 on 2024-01-29 at 03:29:20 UTC with deployment at 04:31:59.100 UTC.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Now tracking 7:29 pm PST = 03:29:20 UTC.

Now tracking 7:45 pm PST = 03:45:20 UTC.

[catdlr]

Weather Update:

Great weather, clear, calm, no rain, low winds.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Webcast link for 7-12 showing yet another delay to 05:02:40 UTC = 9:02 pm PST, although I don't see the website updated yet. But Celestrak did just confirm it.

[catdlr]

Concur!!

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1751778347963838845

UPDATE #2: @SpaceX is now targeting the 8th backup launch opportunity on 2024-01-29 at 05:02:40 UTC for Group 7-12 with deployment at 06:05:19.100 UTC.

[Ken the Bin]

Webcast link for 7-12 showing yet another delay to 05:02:40 UTC = 9:02 pm PST, although I don't see the website updated yet. But Celestrak did just confirm it.

The website is updated now.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-12

SpaceX is targeting Sunday, January 28 for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 9:02 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 10:03 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, January 29 starting at 5:49 p.m. PT.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Launch delayed to 05:57:20 UTC.

"SpaceX is targeting Sunday, January 28 for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 9:57 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 10:03 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, January 29 starting at 5:49 p.m. PT."

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-12

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Since no-one else seems to be re-streaming it:

[catdlr]

Forcast for this week.

https://twitter.com/ABC7/status/1751828701476704601

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1751831881442791574

[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/1751838549413179877

Propellant load has started for tonight's second Falcon 9 launch carrying @Starlink satellites, this time from California → http://spacex.com/launches

[Steven Pietrobon]

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

[Steven Pietrobon]

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

[catdlr]

RE-broadcast of SpaceX Livestream, for those not willing or can't on "X"

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1751844618717581802

FST edit:

F9/Starlink 7-12: This will be the:
9th F9 flight of '24
294th F9 flight overall
9th flight for booster B1075
210th droneship landing
268th landing overall
134th-156th Starlinks to orbit in '24
5,784-5,806 Starlinks launched overall

[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.

Edit/add zubenelgenubi:
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1751845607235621005

Watch part two of tonight's doubleheader with Falcon 9 launching 22 @Starlink satellites to orbit.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-5 minutes. Tanks pressing for strongback retract.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-4 minutes. Strongback is retracting.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-3 minutes. First stage LOX load complete.

[Steven Pietrobon]

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

[Steven Pietrobon]

Stream ended at T-1 minute and 27 seconds! Scrub?

[Steven Pietrobon]

Launch should be happening about now.

Update. Second stream restarted at T-30 seconds.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+1 minute.

[catdlr]

The same thing happens the last launch from VSFB,  prepare for the broadcast to come back right before MECO.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+2 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

First stage separation.

Ignition.

T+3 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Fairing separation.

T+4 minutes.

Link to livestream.

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

[zubenelgenubi]

SpaceX Vandenberg livestream dropped out AGAIN before/during/after liftoff!

What is their problem?!

SpaceX has the launch video from the pad on another link.

Edit/add new link:
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1751846997110456419

Watch part two of tonight's doubleheader with Falcon 9 launching 22 @Starlink satellites to orbit.

[catdlr]

SpaceX has the launch video from the pad on another link

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1751847372689490183

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+5 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+6 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Entry burn.

T+7 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+8 minutes.

[ZachS09]

SpaceX Vandenberg livestream dropped out AGAIN before/during/after liftoff!

What is their problem?!

If SpaceX continued streaming their launches on YouTube, then maybe these dropouts wouldn't have happened.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Landing burn.

Touchdown!

Cutoff.

T+9 minutes. Nominal parking orbit.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Upcoming events.

00:53:23 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:53:25 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:02:18 Starlink satellites deploy

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1751849543686041980

[catdlr]

Upcoming events.

00:53:23 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:53:25 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:02:18 Starlink satellites deploy

Steven, I feel for you, but you did a dam good job, despite the video issues.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1751849478926291136

[Steven Pietrobon]

Steven, I feel for you, but you did a dam good job, despite the video issues.

I believe that's the fourth time that Twitter has cutoff the video midstream or had problems.

[catdlr]

Steven here is the video of the liftoff

[radiskull]

From Costa Mesa, CA.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/BranomJaeden/status/1751850958890614864/photo/1

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/BranomJaeden/status/1751850792267690465

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/spacebrandonb/status/1751850066422255696

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/1751850302259794343

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/Alexphysics13/status/1751850625627734066

This landing marked the fastest turnaround of a droneship at just over 5 days. The launch also marked the fastest turnaround time from SLC-4E at 5 days, 5 hours, 22 minutes, and 20 seconds - this is down from about 6.5 days with the previous record.

[catdlr]

This comes from a local TV (that recently hired a former NASA meteorologist to do their weather coverage).  They positioned their helicopter over the city of Ventura (60 miles away) so that their camera could pick up and track the launch.  Lisa narrates.  Since she is pro Space, we may get some coverage from her so long as the skies are clear.

Skip to 34 seconds.

[catdlr]

and an additional 20 seconds of video after launch.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1751852890719969613

[slobber91]

GIF of booster reentry burn from Los Angeles:

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+53 minutes and 23 seconds. Expected ignition for two seconds.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+1 hour 2 minutes and 18 seconds. Expected separation.

[Steven Pietrobon]

"Deployment of 22 @Starlink satellites confirmed"

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1751862920185807116

[catdlr]

Thanks, Steven, that's twice in a row for bad livestream from SpaceX, almost occurring at the same spot and returning almost before MECO.  Something doesn't smell right.  Thanks for the coverage.  Must be frustrating.

[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]

More landing shots

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[catdlr]

and that video contains all the fragments edited to one chronological launch.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/shorealonefilms/status/1751860200733344008

Closing out a Space-tacluar double launch header on a Sunday night… @SpaceX lofts #STARLINK 7-12 from @SLDelta30 tonight delivering 22 starlink sat to LEO 01-28-24

[gsa]

Thanks, Steven, that's twice in a row for bad livestream from SpaceX, almost occurring at the same spot and returning almost before MECO.  Something doesn't smell right.  Thanks for the coverage.  Must be frustrating.

This time it returned at T-30 and stayed till the end, as far as I can see.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/turkeybeaver/status/1751945277525639398

Great execution by the SpaceX team across both Florida and California. Special shout out to the west coast team for smashing the launch to launch record for SLC-4e and OCISLY. At just over five days, the pad and droneship have demonstrated the speed required to meet our 2024 launch rate

[shiro]

Some reusability stats for this launch (Starlink Group 7-12):

Booster B1075.9 turnaround time:
35 days 16 hours 46 minutes
(its previous mission was SARah 2/3 on Dec 24, 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 SLC-4E turnaround time:
5 days 5 hours 22 minutes
(the previous launch from this pad was Starlink Group 7-11 on Jan 24, 2024 UTC).

It's the fastest turnaround of SLC-4E ever! The previous record was set just two months ago: 6 days 13 hours and 44 minutes between Korea 925 EO/IR and Starlink Group 7-8 launches. And furthermore, both missions have used ASDS for the first stage landing now (which wasn't true for the pervious one: Korea 925 EO/IR was RTLS mission).

FYI: median turnaround time for SLC-4E is currently 12.32 days *
* – based on the last 30 launches.

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

[catdlr]

I found a new SpaceX enthusiast on YouTube who captured last night's launch from his vantage point. He has a library of other flights, including some RTLS. I would subscribe to his channel and encourage him to capture more flights. He's either using a tripod or has very steady hands.  I guess that his location is in Santa Barbara County near the mainline railroad (the sound of train horns in the distance).

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/johnschreiber/status/1751855836421583185

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1752027347455549783

[realnouns]

Go Beyond (fka. Go Crusader) returned to PoLB on Jan 30 @ 10:34am PT / 1:34pm ET

[realnouns]

Debra C + OCISLY + B1075 returned to PoLB on Jan 31 @ 6:42am PT / 9:42am ET