SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-42 : KSC LC-39A : 23/24 March 2024 (03:09 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Thread for the Starlink 6-42 group launch.

NSF Threads for Starlink 6-42: Discussion

Launch 24 March 2024, at 03:09:00 UTC (Mar 23 11:09 pm EDT), from KSC LC-39A, on booster 1060-19.  The first stage successfully landed aboard Just Read the Instructions.

Payload 23 Starlink V2 Mini satellites to 43 degree inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit 285 x 293 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:

more Starlinks from Cape
<snip>
0039-EX-ST-2024  Mission 1884 Starlink Group 6-42
[NET Feb 22]
ASDS    North  25  41  37   West  75  5  42

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide; updated February 28; my bold:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on February 28 at 10:30 a.m. EST or March 1 at 10:00 a.m. (could move up or back depending on Crew-8 weather). A Falcon 9 will launch the next crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station, Crew-8, from pad 39A on March 1 at 12:04 a.m. EST. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on March 3 or 4. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-30 cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS from pad 40 on March 11 at 8:47 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the Eutelsat 36D television satellite from pad 40 on late March.

Launch apparently was to be before March 12 from LC-39A.  SLC-40 would be occupied by the SpX-30 launch campaign.

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide; updated February 29; my bold:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the next crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station, Crew-8, from pad 39A on March 2 earliest at 11:16 p.m. EST. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on March 4 around 7-11 p.m EST. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-30 cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS from pad 40 on March 11 at 8:47 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the Eutelsat 36D television satellite from pad 40 on late March.

Now launch is apparently scheduled NET March 12.

Starlink 6-42 could launch from either Kennedy LC-39A (after Crew-8) or Canaveral SLC-40 (after SpX-30), and it could land aboard either Florida ASDS.

[zubenelgenubi]

Starlink 6-43 is the next Florida Falcon 9 launch.

We thought these notices pertained to Starlink 6-42.

NGA Rocket Launching notice. Note that this notice has the Primary Day and nine Backup Days. Usually there are six Backup Days.

292130Z FEB 24
NAVAREA IV 240/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 
   080019Z TO 080450Z MAR, ALTERNATE 082354Z TO 090425Z, 
   092328Z TO 100359Z, 102303Z TO 110334Z, 
   112238Z TO 120309Z, 122213Z TO 130244Z, 
   132147Z TO 140218Z, 142122Z TO 150153Z,
   152057Z TO 160128Z AND 162032Z TO 170103Z 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, 28-39.00N 080-37.69W.
   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, 26-15.00N 076-00.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 170203Z MAR 24.

Cancel-and-replace NGA Rocket Launching notice.

Postponed to March 10.

041426Z MAR 24
NAVAREA IV 246/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 
   102303Z TO 110334Z MAR, ALTERNATE 112238Z TO 120309Z,
   122213Z TO 130244Z, 132147Z TO 140218Z, 142122Z TO 150153Z,
   152057Z TO 160128 AND 162032Z TO 170103Z 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 240/24.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 170203Z MAR 24.

The original NET launch date for both Starlinks was the same date, February 22.

Edit March 6:  Launch news assumed to pertain to Starlink 6-42 are for Starlink 6-44.

[zubenelgenubi]

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide; updated a third and fourth time March 6; my bold:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on March 10 at 7:03-11:03 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on mid-March at 7-11 p.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-30 cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS from pad 40 on late March, in the late afternoon EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the Eutelsat 36D television satellite from pad 40 on late March. A Falcon 9 will launch the Bandwagon-1 rideshare mission from pad 40 on April 3 at 1:24 p.m. EDT.

[zubenelgenubi]

Starlink 6-42?

NGA Rocket Launching for March 21 already, so I assume it's [SpX-30].

082022Z MAR 24
NAVAREA IV 262/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 
   210045Z TO 210516Z MAR, ALTERNATE 220020Z TO 220451Z,
   222355Z TO 230426Z, 232329Z TO 240400Z, 
   AND 242304Z TO 250335Z MAR
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-38.24N 080-37.15W, 28-39.00N 080-36.00W,
      28-38.00N 080-23.00W, 28-24.00N 080-01.00W,
      28-19.00N 080-03.00W, 28-27.00N 080-24.00W,
      28-31.11N 080-33.33W.
   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, 26-15.00N 076-00.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 250435Z MAR 24.

[Alexphysics]

That's our guess on NXF, it may very well be 6-45 because of course SpaceX would do that kind of stuff

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide; updated March 7; my bold:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on March 10 at 7:03-11:03 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on March 13 at 7-11 p.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-30 cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS from pad 40 on late March, in the late afternoon EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the Eutelsat 36D television satellite from pad 40 on late March. A Falcon 9 will launch the Bandwagon-1 rideshare mission from pad 40 on April 3 at 1:24 p.m. EDT.

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide; updated March 11; my bold:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on March 13 at 7-11 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on March 20 around 7-11 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-30 cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS from pad 40 on March 21 at 4:54 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the Eutelsat 36D television satellite from pad 40 on late March. A Falcon 9 will launch the Bandwagon-1 rideshare mission from pad 40 on April 3 at 1:24 p.m. EDT.

Why is there a circa seven day gap between the LC-39A launches of Starlink 6-44 and Starlink 6-42?

Or, for that matter, why circa 10 days between the LC-39A launches of Crew-8 and Starlink 6-44?

ASDS likely is JRTI.

No Falcon 9 launches within 48 hours of the SpX-30 launch on March 21.  This launch may wait until after.

Edited

[Galactic Penguin SST]

6-42 is...correct.
2nd stage de-orbit zone NOTAM:

A0904/24 NOTAMN
Q) FAJO/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/3656S04611E999
A) FAJO B) 2403210235 C) 2403250548
D) 21 MAR 0235-0729, 22 MAR 0210-0704, 23 MAR 0145-0639, 24 MAR
0119-0613, 25 MAR 0054-0548
E) AREA BOUNDED BY (4256S 00224W, 4045S 00221W, 3210S 05700E, 3515S
05700E): SPACEX STARLINK 6-42 ROCKET RE-ENTRY OPS TAKING PLACE.
APPLICABLE AIRSPACE DOWNGRADED TO CLASS G.
F) GND G) UNL

[Ken the Bin]

Postponed one day per this cancel-and-replace NGA Rocket Launching notice.

150359Z MAR 24
NAVAREA IV 284/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 
   220020Z TO 220451Z MAR, ALTERNATE 
   222355Z TO 230426Z, 232329Z TO 240400Z, 
   242304Z TO 250335Z, 252239Z TO 260310Z, 
   262214Z TO 270245Z AND 272149Z TO 280220Z MAR
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-38.24N 080-37.15W, 28-39.00N 080-36.00W,
      28-38.00N 080-23.00W, 28-24.00N 080-01.00W,
      28-19.00N 080-03.00W, 28-27.00N 080-24.00W,
      28-31.11N 080-33.33W.
   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 262/24.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 280320Z MAR 24.//

[OneSpeed]

6-42 is...correct.
2nd stage de-orbit zone NOTAM: ...

Postponed one day per this cancel-and-replace NGA Rocket Launching notice. ...

Maps from the combined notices. ASDS 635km downrange. S2 splashdown area in yellow, but would expect the two blue areas to be added before the launch.

EDIT:

Two Space Debris notices (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas).

Map from the NGA notice.

[Ken the Bin]

Postponed another day, from very early on March 22 UTC to very late on March 22 UTC, per this cancel-and-replace NGA notice.

160653Z MAR 24
NAVAREA IV 295/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   222355Z TO 230426Z MAR, ALTERNATE 
   232329Z TO 240400Z, 242304Z TO 250335Z,
   252239Z TO 260310Z, 262214Z TO 270245Z AND
   272149Z TO 280220Z MAR
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-38.24N 080-37.15W, 28-39.00N 080-36.00W,
      28-38.00N 080-23.00W, 28-24.00N 080-01.00W,
      28-19.00N 080-03.00W, 28-27.00N 080-24.00W,
      28-31.11N 080-33.33W.
   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 284/24.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 280320Z MAR 24.

[Ken the Bin]

Two Space Debris notices (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas).

The notices start on March 21 and end on March 30. I think they are intended to be multi-launch for additional Starlink launches from the cape through the end of March.

181340Z MAR 24
HYDROLANT 564/24(57, 61, 71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 2321Z TO 0622Z
   DAILY 21 THRU 30 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 310722Z MAR 24.

181340Z MAR 24
HYDROPAC 905/24(57, 61, 71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 2321Z TO 0622Z
   DAILY 21 THRU 30 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 310722Z MAR 24.

[Martin_G]

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

SPACE-X STARLINK 6-42 (X2134), CCSFS/KSC, FL
PRIMARY:   03/22/24   2355Z-0426Z
BACKUP:      03/23/24   2329Z-0400Z
      03/24/24   2304Z-0335Z
      03/25/24   2239Z-0310Z
      03/26/24   2214Z-0245Z
      03/27/24   2149Z-0220Z
      03/28/24   2123Z-0154Z

[realnouns]

Bob + JRTI departed PC on Mar 19 @ 3:47pm ET

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1770184226668724357

Departure! Bob is underway from Port Canaveral with JRTI droneship for the Starlink 6-42 mission. 📸 http://nsf.live/spacecoast

[zubenelgenubi]

Belated cross-post:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide; updated March 16; my bold:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the CRS-30 cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS from pad 40 on March 21 at 4:55 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on March 22 at 7:55 p.m. or later EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the Eutelsat 36D television satellite from pad 40 on late March. A Falcon 9 will launch the Bandwagon-1 rideshare mission from pad 39A on April 3 at 1:24 p.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.

No Falcon 9 launches within 48 hours of the SpX-30 launch on March 21.  This launch may wait until after.

The Starlink 7-16 launch earlier today UTC occurred before that limit.

[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 Falcon Heavy side boosters for GOES-U.

1073.14 and 1076.12 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:
1080.6    Jan 18 (likely SpX-30?)
1078.8    Feb 14 (next likely SpX-30?)
1060.19  Feb 15
1067.18  Feb 20
1069.14  Feb 25
1076.12  Feb 29

Edit March 22 UTC: It's B1060.19, skipping B1078.8.

Edited

[Ken the Bin]

Primary launch opportunity = 2024-03-22 23:57:00 UTC per CelesTrak.

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1770786754276057507

CelesTrak has pre-launch SupGP data for @Starlink Group 6-42 launch from Cape Canaveral on 2024-03-22 at 23:57:00 UTC: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g6-42. Deployment of 23 satellites at 2024-03-23 at 01:02:27.380 UTC. Data for 15 backup opportunities also provided: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/.

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

Launch: 2024-03-22 23:57:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 01:02:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 00:09:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 01:14:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 00:23:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 01:28:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 00:49:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 01:54:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 00:53:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 01:58:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 01:11:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 02:16:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 01:37:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 02:42:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 01:47:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 02:52:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 02:01:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 03:06:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 02:27:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 03:32:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 02:33:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 03:38:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 02:47:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 03:52:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 03:01:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 04:06:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 03:23:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 04:28:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 03:37:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 04:42:27.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-23 03:55:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-23 05:00:27.380 UTC.

[Ken the Bin]

L-1 weather forecast. 25% 'Go' for March 22. 70% 'Go' for March 23. Upper-Level Wind Shear risk is Low-Moderate for both days. Booster Recovery Weather risk is also Low-Moderate for both days. All other Additional Risk Criteria are Low.

[zubenelgenubi]

L-1 weather forecast. 25% 'Go' for March 22.

"Now-casting" weather forecasting will come to the fore tomorrow.  Too bad we can no longer listen into the launch control channel.