SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 7-14 : VSFB SLC-4E : 15 February 2024 (21:34 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Thread for the Starlink Group 7-14 launch.

Launch 15 February 2024, at 21:34:30 UTC (1:34 pm PST), from Vandenberg SFB SLC-4E, on booster 1082-2.  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

2534-EX-ST-2023 Mission 2196 Starlink Group 7-14
<snip>
NET [Jan 23 2024] February from Vandenberg
ASDS  North  30  6  19   West  116  57  37  (7-14, 7-16)
<snip>

Noting ASDS position is changed a bit.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7470

Starlink Group 7-14
Launch Time
NET February 2024

Starlink 7-14 likely follows Starlink 7-13, with a launch NET early February.  Starlink 7-13 is currently scheduled to launch NET February 3.  SpaceX is attempting a ~five day turnaround.

Starlink 7-12 Jan 29 UTC

+ 5 days
Starlink 7-13 Feb 3 UTC

+ 5 days
Starlink 7-14 Feb 8 UTC?

[Galactic Penguin SST]

NET late February 13 UTC (late afternoon PST) per this new NOTAM, indicating SpaceX is probably trying to hold to a 4 days pad recycling cycle if both involved launches are Starlinks at SLC-4E.

Note this was posted before today's scrub.

R0035/24 NOTAMN
Q) SCIZ/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/4100S11910W715
A) SCIZ B) 2402132356 C) 2402190236
D) 13 BTN 2356-2359 14 BTN 0000-0424/2334-2359 15 BTN 0000-0402
15 BTN 2313-2359 16 BTN 0000-0341/2251-2359 17 BTN 0000-0319
17 BTN 2230-2359 18 BTN 0000-0258/2208-2359 19 BTN 0000-0236
E) ZONE ...D... SECT WEST PACIFIC DUE TO RE-ENTRY FALCON 9 STARLINK 7
-14 STAGE 2 REENTRY ACTIVITY. THE AREA IS BOUNDED BY GEO COORD:
1500S 10724W
1500S 10441W
3122S 09024W
3420S 09024W
INSTRUCTIONS: SANTIAGO OCEANIC CONTROL 10024 KHZ
FANS 1A EQUIPPED  ACFT LOG ON SCEZ
INFO PROVIDED BY SPACE X OPS, USA
F) SFC G) UNL

[Galactic Penguin SST]

NOTAM for first stage recovery zone that still points to NET February 13 UTC and PST (22:17 - 02:46 UTC Feb. 13/14; 2:17 - 6:46 pm PST 13th). Maybe someone else can point out if that turnaround is even possible since IIRC that will break the all time SpaceX pad turn-around record apparently could be as little as just 2 minutes behind!

B0116/24 NOTAMN
Q) MMFR/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/
A) MMFR
B) 2402132217
C) 2402190058
D) 13 2217-0246, 14 2155-0224, 15 2134-0203, 16 2112-0141,
   17 2051-0120, 18 2029-0058
E) DANGEROUS AREA FOR REENTRY OF ROCKET FALCON 9 STARLINK 7-14
   LATERAL LIMIT AREA FORMED BY THE UNION OF THE FOLLOWING POINTS:
   2902N 11631W
   2927N 11654W
   3029N 11732W
   3046N 11703W
   2950N 11615W
   2924N 11600W
   2902N 11631W
   MMFR
F) SFC
G) UNL

[raptorx2]

Kind of expected 8-1 to fill this slot.  SpaceX filed Experimentals for 8-2 and 8-3 (Vandenberg) on Friday with operations for 8-2 beginning the 3rd of March.  8-1 authorization expires 24th of March.

[crandles57]

Debra C showing
Destination Long Beach
Estimated time of arrival:
2024-02-11 22:30 (UTC-8)

If Debra C is towing OCISLY and the destination info and time is correct then not popping into San Diego to offload so I don't think OCISLY can be in position for 13th. Think that 13th date was announced before 7-13 was delayed from 9th to 10th UTC.

Likely a delay even if not showing yet I assume. Unless it is a RTLS?

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post; SLC-4E and OCISLY turnarounds start from here:

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1756114398635069815

William Harwood @cbs_spacenews
F9/Starlink 7-13: LIFTOFF! At 7:34:00pm EST (0034 UTC)

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 and Cygnus than these other payloads.

Available first stages, with UTC date of most recent recovery:
1082.2     Jan 3
1061.19   Jan 14
1063.17   Jan 24 (maybe)

Edit February 14 UTC: It's B1082-2.

[Ken the Bin]

This launch is now in the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory with dates and times that match the NOTAM that Galactic Penguin SST posted above.

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

SPACE X STARLINK 7-14, VANDENBERG, CA
PRIMARY:        02/13/24        2217Z-0246Z
BACKUP:         02/14/24        2155Z-0224Z
                02/15/24        2134Z-0203Z
                02/16/24        2112Z-0141Z
                02/17/24        2051Z-0120Z
                02/18/24        2029Z-0058Z

[crandles57]

Debra C making slow progress Northwards - still south of Mexico border.
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-117.5/centery:32.4/zoom:10

Slow to minimise time booster offloaded at San Diego?

[catdlr]

Debra C making slow progress Northwards - still south of Mexico border.
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-117.5/centery:32.4/zoom:10

Slow to minimise time booster offloaded at San Diego?

It's headed to Long Beach, with no change in course.

[OneSpeed]

NET late February 13 UTC (late afternoon PST) per this new NOTAM, indicating SpaceX is probably trying to hold to a 4 days pad recycling cycle if both involved launches are Starlinks at SLC-4E.

NOTAM for first stage recovery zone that still points to NET February 13 UTC and PST (22:17 - 02:46 UTC Feb. 13/14; 2:17 - 6:46 pm PST 13th).

Maps from the NOTAMs. ASDS 610km downrange. The second stage splashdown area is possibly incomplete.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

And as everyone have doubted, this is NET February 14 now.

!CARF 02/228 ZLA AIRSPACE DCC SX STARLINK 7-14 24-6 STNR ALT
RESERVATION WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 343900N1203700W TO 343700N1203100W
TO 334500N1194600W TO 334200N1195000W TO 343500N1203800W TO POINT OF
ORIGIN SFC-UNL 2402142155-2402150217

[catdlr]

Weather for the 14th (Red Highlight is the launch window)

[mordroberon]

Maybe a little cloudy. But if this and the east coast rockets fly on the 14th, that's an impressive 3 launches in 1 day. Not sure if SpaceX has done that before.

[catdlr]

Here is the West Coast forecast from a former NASA meteorologist now working at a Local station in LA (KCBS).  Jump to 1:28 into the video.

[Ken the Bin]

Earlier today the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory was still showing February 13 as Primary, but it's now changed to February 14.

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

SPACE X STARLINK 7-14, VANDENBERG, CA
PRTIMARY:       02/14/24        2155Z-0224Z
BACKUP:         02/15/24        2134Z-0203Z
                02/16/24        2112Z-0141Z
                02/17/24        2051Z-0120Z
                02/18/24        2029Z-0058Z

[Galactic Penguin SST]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1757201975207436407

CelesTrak has pre-launch SupGP data for the #Starlink Group 7-14 launch from Vandenberg SFB on 2024-02-14 at 21:56:00 UTC: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g7-14. Deployment of 22 satellites at 22:58:39.940 UTC. Data for 9 backup launch opportunities also provided: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/.

[catdlr]

Weather updated from Marina Jurica.
 
I ask for her support.  She's a former NASA launch meteorologist now working from KCBS in Los Angeles.

https://twitter.com/MJuricaCBS47/status/1757257165193314466

[realnouns]

Debra C + OCISLY departed PoLB on Feb 13 @ 1:51am PT / 4:51am ET

[Ken the Bin]

I finally received the NGA Space Debris notice that is effectively a Rocket Launching notice.

Note that the first part of the February 14 hazard period is not included. Only the last three launch opportunities of the ten that CelesTrak posted are within the shortened hazard period.

The four Backup Days have the full hazard periods.

131558Z FEB 24
NAVAREA XII 77/24(21).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
MEXICO.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   150030Z TO 150224Z, 152134Z TO 160203Z,
   162112Z TO 170141Z, 172051Z TO 180120Z AND
   182029Z TO 190058Z FEB IN AREA BOUND BY
   29-05.00N 116-26.00W, 29-25.00N 116-52.00W,
   30-28.00N 117-21.00W, 30-39.00N 117-20.00W,
   30-30.00N 117-03.00W, 29-51.00N 116-17.00W,
   29-23.00N 116-02.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 190158Z FEB 24.

These two multi-launch NGA Space Debris notices are 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.//

[realnouns]

Go Beyond (fka. Go Crusader) departed PoLB on Feb 13 @ 7:50am PT / 10:50am ET

[OneSpeed]

I finally received the NGA Space Debris notice that is effectively a Rocket Launching notice.

Maps from the combined NOTAMs and NGA notices. The NGA ASDS area is smaller, the second stage splashdown area is larger.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-14

SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, February 14 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 4:30 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 5:54 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Thursday, February 15 starting at 1:34 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 second flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched one Starlink mission (=B1082-2). 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.

= 15 Feb 00:30 to 01:54 UTC

[zubenelgenubi]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1757581472909967515

Targeting Wednesday afternoon for two Falcon 9 launches from Florida and California → http://spacex.com/launches

[Steven Pietrobon]

PDF of online press kit.

[Ken the Bin]

Update from CelesTrak:

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1757842585866154024

UPDATE #1: CelesTrak has updated pre-launch SupGP data for the #Starlink Group 7-14 launch now on 2024-02-15 at 00:30:00 UTC: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g7-14. Deployment of 22 satellites at 01:32:39.940 UTC. Data for 6 backup launch opportunities also provided: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/.

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/

Launch: 2024-02-15 00:30:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-02-15 01:32:39.940 UTC.
Launch: 2024-02-15 00:36:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-02-15 01:38:39.940 UTC.
Launch: 2024-02-15 01:08:50 UTC. Deploy: 2024-02-15 02:11:29.940 UTC.
Launch: 2024-02-15 01:18:40 UTC. Deploy: 2024-02-15 02:21:19.940 UTC.
Launch: 2024-02-15 01:34:40 UTC. Deploy: 2024-02-15 02:37:19.940 UTC.
Launch: 2024-02-15 01:44:40 UTC. Deploy: 2024-02-15 02:47:19.940 UTC.
Launch: 2024-02-15 01:54:40 UTC. Deploy: 2024-02-15 02:57:19.940 UTC.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1757880623115714837

Four SpaceX rockets vertical on SpaceX's four launch pads in Florida, California, and Texas

[Steven Pietrobon]

New launch time of 01:34:40 UTC.

"SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, February 14 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 5:34 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 5:54 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Thursday, February 15 starting at 1:34 p.m. PT."

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-14

[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.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Now end-of-window, 01:54:40 UTC:

SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, February 14 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 5:54 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Thursday, February 15 starting at 1:34 p.m. PT.

[Steven Pietrobon]

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

[Steven Pietrobon]

Scrub!

"SpaceX is targeting Thursday, February 15 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 1:34 p.m. PT, with opportunities available until 5:33 p.m. PT."

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-14

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1757938026486116716

Standing down from tonight's Falcon 9 launch of @Starlink. Next available opportunity is Thursday, February 15 → spacex.com/launches

[wannamoonbase]

Man, they’ve had a rough run of scrubs on the west coast.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1757949610918883628

CelesTrak has pre-launch SupGP data for the @Starlink  Group 7-14 launch from Vandenberg SFB on 2024-02-15 at 21:34:30 UTC: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g7-14. Deployment of 22 satellites at 22:37:09.940 UTC. Data for 15 backup launch opportunities also provided: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/.

[Alexphysics]

Man, they’ve had a rough run of scrubs on the west coast.

At least this time around it wasn't the weather... 😅

[Steven Pietrobon]

Link to Twitter livestream.

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

[edkyle99]

Should be the 300th Falcon 9 launch if it doesn't slip behind another Falcon 9!  Would be the 299th orbital launch attempt.

 - Ed Kyle

[Galactic Penguin SST]

And NSF is providing coverage live from SoCal this time!

[catdlr]

Weather look fine

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1758230363800002881

[Steven Pietrobon]

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

[Steven Pietrobon]

NSF webcast has begun.

[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-20 minutes. Vapour coming off first stage LOX tank.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Closeup of tank farm at Vandenberg.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-25 minutes.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1758236790425612305

Lots of rocket action to come, including the Starlink mission from Vandy this hour.

Martin Smith with the overview:

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/02/launch-roundup-021524/

[Steven Pietrobon]

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

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1758238950093705608

T-20 mins to the launch of Falcon B1082-2 (a youngster) with Starlink 7-14 from Vandenberg.

➡️youtube.com/watch?v=irkP3_…

[Steven Pietrobon]

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

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-10 minutes.

[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.

[catdlr]

SpaceX broadcast has started:

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

[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 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.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

NSF liftoff views

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+2 minutes.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1758243813804445970

LAUNCH!
youtube.com/watch?v=irkP3_…

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1758243629683122658

[Steven Pietrobon]

First stage separation.

Ignition.

T+3 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Fairing separation.

T+4 minutes.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

NSF booster views

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1758244346850083093

Staging 1-2.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+5 minutes. Nominal trajectory.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+6 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Entry burn.

T+7 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+8 minutes.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1758245675211301081

200 Successful Consecutive Landings for the orbital class Falcon booster!

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Pad clear

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1758245924072259796

Falcon 9 is in a planned coast before an additional burn to finalize the orbit for Starlink deployment

[Steven Pietrobon]

Landing burn.

Touchdown.

Cutoff.

T+9 minutes.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/stephenclark1/status/1758246159976419742

SpaceX's 300th launch of a Falcon 9 rocket, climbing high over California's Central Coast with another batch of Starlink satellites.

This was also SpaceX's 101st orbital launch in the last 365 days.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Upcoming events.

00:53:37 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:53:38 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:02:31 Starlink satellites deploy

[lucas071200]

Youtube Rehost by TheSpaceDevs

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+53 minutes and 37 seconds. Expected ignition for one second.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+1 hour 2 minutes and 31 seconds. Expected separation.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1758260634238816562

Deployment of @Starlink satellites confirmed. Read more epic and everyday ways people are using Starlink → starlink.com/stories

[catdlr]

Another great launch and another great launch coverage by Steven and Future.  At some point maybe SpaceX will get the launches spread out so that both of you are not deluged with work and then days go by waiting.

Best
Tony

[catdlr]

This post contains a short video

https://twitter.com/SLDelta30/status/1758262810734424300

Congratulations to #TeamV and SpaceX on this afternoon's launch! 🎉

Today, Thursday, February 15th at 1:34 p.m. local, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E)

.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1758287773126279516

Three Falcon 9 launches in ~23 hours, completing our 13th, 14th, and 15th missions of the year

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/ENNEPS/status/1758333202496630908

34 payloads, 23 Hours, 3 Launches, 1 Rocket!SpaceX celebrated 300 launches of the Falcon 9 Rocket, with a triple header from all three of their pads in less than a day.
Catch all the action 24/7 from the Space Coast on @NASASpaceflight 's Space Coast Live http://nsf.live/spacecoast

[FutureSpaceTourist]

More landing shots

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1758543607391502594

CelesTrak has ephemeris-based SupGP data for all 22 satellites from the @Starlink
 Group 7-14 launch (2024-031) atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB on Feb 15 at 2134 UTC: https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/02/15/live-coverage-spacex-to-launch-starlink-satellites-on-falcon-9-rocket-from-vandenberg-space-force-base/. Data for the launch can be found at: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?INTDES=2024-031.

[shiro]

Some reusability stats for this launch (Starlink Group 7-14):

Booster B1082.2 turnaround time:
43 days 17 hours 50 minutes
(its previous mission was Starlink Group 7-9 on Jan 3, 2024 UTC).

FYI: median turnaround time for Falcon 9 / Heavy boosters is currently 50.16 days *
* – based on the last 30 launches, excluding new first stages.

Launchpad SLC-4E turnaround time:
5 days 21 hours 0 minutes
(the previous launch from this pad was Starlink Group 7-13 on Feb 10, 2024 UTC).

...which is the 2nd best SLC-4E turnaround time!
(the record is still 5 days 5 hours and 22 minutes between Starlink Group 7-11 and Starlink Group 7-12 launches in January, 2024).

FYI: median turnaround time for SLC-4E is currently 11.90 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/1758722740746359043

Recent 9th #Starlink launch of this year via #SpaceX's #Falcon9 vehicle

[realnouns]

Go Beyond returned to PoLB on Feb 17 @ 4:28am PT / 7:28am ET

[realnouns]

Debra C + OCISLY + B1082 returned to PoLB on Feb 17 @ 6:56am PT / 9:56am ET