SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 7-15 : VSFB SLC-4E : 22/23 February 2024 (04:11 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Thread for the Starlink Group 7-15 launch.

Launch 23 February 2024, at 04:11:50 UTC (22 Feb. 8:11 pm PST), from Vandenberg SFB SLC-4E, on booster 1061-19.  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 287 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:

<snip>
2535-EX-ST-2023 Mission 2197 Starlink Group 7-15
<snip>
NET [Jan 30] from Vandenberg
ASDS  North  30  6  19   West  116  57  37  (7-14, 7-16)
[ASDS]  North  29  52  50   West  116  45  3  (7-15, 7-17)

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7471

Starlink Group 7-15
Launch Time
NET February 2024

Starlink 7-15 likely follows Starlink 7-14, with a launch NET mid February.  Starlink 7-14 is currently scheduled to launch February 14.  SpaceX is attempting ~four ~five day turnarounds.

Assuming successful February 14 UTC Falcon 9 launches (all three of them!), launch would be NET February 18.


Edit/add February 14

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:
1061.19   Jan 14
1063.17   Jan 24
1075.10   Jan 29

Edit February 22 UTC: It's B1061.19.

[crandles57]

SpaceX is attempting ~four ~five day turnarounds.

Do we know this or is this just looking at planned dates without knowing when the dates were requested. If they were requested before delays were clear enough ...

Nexspaceflight has just 7-15 and 7-16 in Feb before transporter 10 on March 1st which could be ~20th and ~25th. 4 day turnaround would allow 14 18 22 26 then 1st. Does just 2 listed suggest it is just 5 day turnarounds expected?

I am also not sure OCISLY can make it back to Long beach, unload, and then to landing zone in 4 days.

[GewoonLukas_]

NET February 20th 06:46 UTC:

R0043/24 NOTAMN
Q) SCIZ/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/4100S11910W715
A) SCIZ B) 2402200646 C) 2402260904
D) FEB 20 0646-1114/FEB 21 0624-1052/ FEB 22 0603-1031
FEB 23 0541-1009/ FEB 24 0520-0948/ FEB 25 0458-0926
FEB 26 0436-0904
E)
 ZONE ...D... SECT WEST PACIFIC DUE TO RE-ENTRY FALCON 9 STARLINK 2
-15 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

NOTAM says Starlink Group 2-15, but likely a typo for 7-15

[Galactic Penguin SST]

NET February 20th 06:46 UTC:

R0043/24 NOTAMN
Q) SCIZ/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/4100S11910W715
A) SCIZ B) 2402200646 C) 2402260904
D) FEB 20 0646-1114/FEB 21 0624-1052/ FEB 22 0603-1031
FEB 23 0541-1009/ FEB 24 0520-0948/ FEB 25 0458-0926
FEB 26 0436-0904
E)
 ZONE ...D... SECT WEST PACIFIC DUE TO RE-ENTRY FALCON 9 STARLINK 2
-15 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

NOTAM says Starlink Group 2-15, but likely a typo for 7-15

There's also this one also for 2nd stage de-orbit, mis-tagged as 7-13:
A0269/24 NOTAMN
Q) SEFG/QXXLW/IV/NBO/AE/000/999/0119S11654W999
A) SEXX B) 2402200646 C) 2402260904
D) FEB 20 0646-1114, FEB 21 0624-1052 FEB 22 0603-1031, FEB 23
0541-1009, FEB 24 0520-0948  FEB 25 0458-0926 AND FEB 26 0436-0904.
E) FALCON 9 STARLINK 7-13 STAGE 2 REENTRY AND SPLASHDOWN IN THE
UNASSIGNED FIR, SECT DELIMITED BY THE FOLLOWING COORD 0119S 11654W,
0010S 11517W, 1500S 10441W, 1500S 10724W.
F) SFC G) UNL

[DanClemmensen]

SpaceX is attempting ~four ~five day turnarounds.

Do we know this or is this just looking at planned dates without knowing when the dates were requested. If they were requested before delays were clear enough ...

Nexspaceflight has just 7-15 and 7-16 in Feb before transporter 10 on March 1st which could be ~20th and ~25th. 4 day turnaround would allow 14 18 22 26 then 1st. Does just 2 listed suggest it is just 5 day turnarounds expected?

I am also not sure OCISLY can make it back to Long beach, unload, and then to landing zone in 4 days.

I think we "know" that SpaceX wants to launch 140 F9/FH this year, so the average turnaround across all three launch sites must be less than 3*366/140=7.8 days.  We also "know" that LC-39A has constraints that prevent it from doing one-third of the launches, and SLC-40 can probably do more than its share, so we can guess that SLC-4E needs to launch faster than once every 8 days on average. To achieve this average, you need some faster turnarounds to make up for the slower ones caused by weather delays and other scrubs.  Even if OCISLY cannot turn around in four days, they can still launch faster than that if there are enough RTLS missions.

[Martin_G]

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

SPACE X STARLINK 7-15 VANDEN ERG SFB CA
PRIMARY:   02/20/24   0507Z-0936Z
BACKUP:      02/21/24   0445Z-0914Z
      02/22/24   0424Z-0853Z
      02/23/24   0402Z-0831Z

[crandles57]

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

SPACE X STARLINK 7-15 VANDENBERG SFB CA
PRI ARY:   02/22/24   0424Z-0846Z
BACKUP:      02/23/24   0402Z-0824Z
      02/24/24   0341Z-0803Z
      02/25/24   0319Z-0741Z
      02/26/24   0257z-0719z

(so probably can't fit in 7-16 / 8-1 before transporter-10 on March 1st unless that is delayed. No thread for 7-16 yet that I could find so maybe it is 8-1. If Transporter-10 is RTLS perhaps it is still possible with ASDS launch on 27th and 3 day pad turnaround. 4 day pad turnarounds and 8-1 as a RTLS might be more plausible?)

[Ken the Bin]

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

180142Z FEB 24
NAVAREA XII 84/24(21).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
MEXICO.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   220424Z TO 220853Z, 230402Z TO 230831Z,
   240341Z TO 240810Z, 250319Z TO 250748Z,
   260257Z TO 260726Z, 270236Z TO 270705Z
   AND 280214Z TO 280643Z FEB
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   28-58.00N 116-22.00W, 29-12.00N 116-48.00W,
   29-32.00N 117-06.00W, 29-50.00N 117-02.00W,
   30-35.00N 117-27.00W, 30-40.00N 117-18.00W,
   30-27.00N 117-01.00W, 30-04.00N 116-28.00W,
   29-42.00N 116-06.00W, 29-18.00N 115-56.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 280743Z FEB 24.

NOTE: The two multi-launch Space Debris notices (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas) expire on February 21 at 00:01 UTC, so they will NOT be in effect for this launch.

[Ken the Bin]

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

SPACE X STARLINK 7-15 VANDENBERG SFB CA
PRI ARY:   02/22/24   0424Z-0846Z
BACKUP:      02/23/24   0402Z-0824Z
      02/24/24   0341Z-0803Z
      02/25/24   0319Z-0741Z
      02/26/24   0257z-0719z

(so probably can't fit in 7-16 / 8-1 before transporter-10 on March 1st unless that is delayed. No thread for 7-16 yet that I could find so maybe it is 8-1. If Transporter-10 is RTLS perhaps it is still possible with ASDS launch on 27th and 3 day pad turnaround. 4 day pad turnarounds and 8-1 as a RTLS might be more plausible?)

I see that for some reason the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory now has February 21 as the Primary Day.

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

SPACE X STARLINK 7-15 VANDENBERG SFB CA
PRIMARY:        02/21/24        0445Z-0907Z
BACKUP:         02/22/24        0424Z-0846Z
                02/23/24        0402Z-0824Z
                02/24/24        0341Z-0803Z
                02/25/24        0319Z-0741Z
                02/26/24        0257Z-0719Z

Personally, I'll stick with what the NGA says.

[OneSpeed]

NET February 20th 06:46 UTC:

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

Maps from the combined notices. ASDS 642km downrange.

[cpushack]

My wife and I are in Lompoc for this launch if anyone wants to meet up at the train station for it

[Galactic Penguin SST]

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

SPACE X STARLINK 7-15 VANDENBERG SFB CA
PRI ARY:   02/22/24   0424Z-0846Z
BACKUP:      02/23/24   0402Z-0824Z
      02/24/24   0341Z-0803Z
      02/25/24   0319Z-0741Z
      02/26/24   0257z-0719z

(so probably can't fit in 7-16 / 8-1 before transporter-10 on March 1st unless that is delayed. No thread for 7-16 yet that I could find so maybe it is 8-1. If Transporter-10 is RTLS perhaps it is still possible with ASDS launch on 27th and 3 day pad turnaround. 4 day pad turnarounds and 8-1 as a RTLS might be more plausible?)

I see that for some reason the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory now has February 21 as the Primary Day.

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

SPACE X STARLINK 7-15 VANDENBERG SFB CA
PRIMARY:        02/21/24        0445Z-0907Z
BACKUP:         02/22/24        0424Z-0846Z
                02/23/24        0402Z-0824Z
                02/24/24        0341Z-0803Z
                02/25/24        0319Z-0741Z
                02/26/24        0257Z-0719Z

Personally, I'll stick with what the NGA says.

Has the marine navigation warnings changed? I don't see any changes for NOTAMs that point to a move-up to February 21.

[Ken the Bin]

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

SPACE X STARLINK 7-15 VANDENBERG SFB CA
PRI ARY:   02/22/24   0424Z-0846Z
BACKUP:      02/23/24   0402Z-0824Z
      02/24/24   0341Z-0803Z
      02/25/24   0319Z-0741Z
      02/26/24   0257z-0719z

(so probably can't fit in 7-16 / 8-1 before transporter-10 on March 1st unless that is delayed. No thread for 7-16 yet that I could find so maybe it is 8-1. If Transporter-10 is RTLS perhaps it is still possible with ASDS launch on 27th and 3 day pad turnaround. 4 day pad turnarounds and 8-1 as a RTLS might be more plausible?)

I see that for some reason the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory now has February 21 as the Primary Day.

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

SPACE X STARLINK 7-15 VANDENBERG SFB CA
PRIMARY:        02/21/24        0445Z-0907Z
BACKUP:         02/22/24        0424Z-0846Z
                02/23/24        0402Z-0824Z
                02/24/24        0341Z-0803Z
                02/25/24        0319Z-0741Z
                02/26/24        0257Z-0719Z

Personally, I'll stick with what the NGA says.

Has the marine navigation warnings changed? I don't see any changes for NOTAMs that point to a move-up to February 21.

Nope, no changes to the marine warnings. That's why I said that I'll stick with what the NGA says.

[Ken the Bin]

NOTE: The two multi-launch Space Debris notices (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas) expire on February 21 at 00:01 UTC, so they will NOT be in effect for this launch.

The following two Space Debris notices (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas) cancel the two multi-launch notices that were set to expire on February 21 anyway.

These two notices are NOT multi-launch. They are for this launch only. And in fact they don't actually even cover the final day of the Rocket Launching notice. Oops!

191535Z FEB 24
NAVAREA XII 87/24(22).
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   IN PROGRESS UNTIL 280001Z FEB 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 NAVAREA XII 885/23.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 280100Z FEB 24.

191535Z FEB 24
HYDROPAC 583/24(22).
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 06, DNC 07.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   IN PROGRESS UNTIL 280001Z FEB 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 HYDROPAC 4029/23.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 280100Z FEB 24.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

This settles it - early February 22 UTC it is.

A0280/24 NOTAMR A0269/24
Q) SEFG/QXXLW/IV/NBO/AE/000/999/0119S11654W005
A) SEXX B) 2402220603 C) 2402260904
D) FEB 22 0603-1031, FEB 23 0541-1009, FEB 24 0520-0948, FEB 25
0458-0926 AND FEB 26 0436-0904
E) FALCON 9 STARLINK 7-15 STAGE 2 REENTRY AND SPLASHDOWN IN THE
UNASSIGNED FIR, SECT DELIMITED BY THE FOLLOWING COORD 0119S 11654W,
0010S 11517W, 1500S 10441W, 1500S 10724W.
F) SFC G) UNL

[catdlr]

This settles it - early February 22 UTC it is.

A0280/24 NOTAMR A0269/24
Q) SEFG/QXXLW/IV/NBO/AE/000/999/0119S11654W005
A) SEXX B) 2402220603 C) 2402260904
D) FEB 22 0603-1031, FEB 23 0541-1009, FEB 24 0520-0948, FEB 25
0458-0926 AND FEB 26 0436-0904
E) FALCON 9 STARLINK 7-15 STAGE 2 REENTRY AND SPLASHDOWN IN THE
UNASSIGNED FIR, SECT DELIMITED BY THE FOLLOWING COORD 0119S 11654W,
0010S 11517W, 1500S 10441W, 1500S 10724W.
F) SFC G) UNL

The current storm should be leaving hours before that.  There could be a chance of Upper Level winds and unsettle scatter showers to look out for.  The next day will be better, but another storm arrive on the weekend.

[cpushack]

Wednesday (local time) is looking pretty good
Chance of rain the night before.
Currently in Lompoc and its finally a sunny day and pleasant. 

[crandles57]

SPACE X STARLINK 7-15 VANDENBERG SFB CA
PRIMARY:   02/23/24   0402Z-0824Z
BACKUP:      02/24/24   0341Z-0803Z
      02/25/24   0319Z-0741Z
      02/26/24   0257Z-0719Z
      02/27/24   0257Z-0726Z

https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jsp
So looks like delay to NET 23rd  04:02

Could just fit in 7-16 on 28th before 1 day before crew-8 limit and still have 5 days for turnaround before Transporter-10 on 4th March.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

SPACE X STARLINK 7-15 VANDENBERG SFB CA
PRIMARY:   02/23/24   0402Z-0824Z
BACKUP:      02/24/24   0341Z-0803Z
      02/25/24   0319Z-0741Z
      02/26/24   0257Z-0719Z
      02/27/24   0257Z-0726Z

https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jsp
So looks like delay to NET 23rd  04:02

Could just fit in 7-16 on 28th before 1 day before crew-8 limit and still have 5 days for turnaround before Transporter-10 on 4th March.

Confirmed per NOTAMs.
B0130/24 NOTAMR B0129/24
Q) MMFR/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/
A) MMFR
B) 2402230402
C) 2402260726
D) 23 0402-0831, 24 0341-0810, 25 0319-0748, 26 0257-0726
E) DANGEROUS AREA FOR REENTRY OF ROCKET STARLINK 7-15
   LATERAL LIMIT AREA FORMED BY THE UNION OF THE FLW POINTS:
   29 12N  116 48W
   29 32N  117 06W
   30 29N  117 32W
   30 44N  117 25W
   30 40N  116 58W
   30 04N  116 28W
   29 42N  116 06W
   29 18N  115 56W
   28 58N  116 22W
   29 12N  116 48W
   MMFR
F) SFC
G) UNL