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SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 7-18 : VSFB SLC-4E : 1/2 April 2024 (02:30 UTC)
by
zubenelgenubi
on 20 Mar, 2024 14:56
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Thread for the Starlink Group 7-18 launch.
Launch 2 April 2024, at 02:30:00 UTC (1 Apr 7:30 pm PDT), from Vandenberg SFB SLC-4E, on booster 1071-15. 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
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#1
by
zubenelgenubi
on 20 Mar, 2024 14:58
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Cross-posts:
Starlink 7-18
[NET March 26]
[ASDS position North 29 52 50 West 116 45 3]
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7520
Starlink Group 7-18
Launch Time
NET April 2024
...
SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA
Starlink 7-16 launched March 19 UTC.
USSF-62 and WorldView
Legion Flight 1 will launch in April.
If
Starlink 8-1 is not the next Vandenberg Falcon 9 launch, then it should be
Starlink 7-18.
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#2
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 21 Mar, 2024 02:42
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And…7-18 is next, NET early March 28 UTC.
R0055/24 NOTAMN
Q) SCIZ/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/4100S11910W715
A) SCIZ B) 2403280409 C) 2404030837
D) DLY BTN 0409-0837
E) ZONE ...D... SECT WEST PACIFIC DUE TO RE-ENTRY FALCON 9 STARLINK
7-18 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
A0406/24 NOTAMN
Q) SEFG/QXXLW/IV/NBO/AE/000/999/0010S11654W005
A) SEXX B) 2403280409 C) 2404030837
D) DLY 0409-0837
E) FALCON 9 STARLINK 7-18 STAGE 2 REENTRY AND SPLASHDOWN IN THE
UNASSIGNED FIR, SECT DELIMITED BY THE FOLLOWING COORD 0119S 11654W,
0010S 11517W, 1500S 10441W, 1500S 10724W, 0119S 11654W
F) SFC G) UNL
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#3
by
zubenelgenubi
on 22 Mar, 2024 14:45
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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:
1071.15 Feb 10
1082.3 Feb 15 (save for USSF-62?)
1061.20 Feb 23
1081.6 Mar 4
Edit March 28 UTC: It's B1071.15.
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#4
by
Ken the Bin
on 23 Mar, 2024 02:39
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NGA Space Debris notice that is effectively a Rocket Launching notice.
191915Z MAR 24
NAVAREA XII 184/24(21).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
MEXICO.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
0230Z TO 0701Z DAILY 28 MAR THRU 03 APR
IN AREA BOUND BY
30-38.00N 117-19.00W, 30-23.00N 117-19.00W,
29-32.00N 117-06.00W, 29-12.00N 116-48.00W,
28-58.00N 116-22.00W, 29-18.00N 115-56.00W,
29-42.00N 116-06.00W, 30-04.00N 116-28.00W,
30-37.00N 117-12.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 030801Z APR 24.
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#5
by
OneSpeed
on 23 Mar, 2024 09:44
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And…7-18 is next, NET early March 28 UTC.
NGA Space Debris notice that is effectively a Rocket Launching notice. ...
Maps from the combined notices. ASDS 642km downrange, identical to 7-17.
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#6
by
Martin_G
on 26 Mar, 2024 22:41
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#7
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 26 Mar, 2024 23:38
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https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jsp:
SPACEX STARLINK 7-18, VANDENBERG SFB, CA
PRIMARY: 03/29/24 0230Z-0701Z
BACKUP: 03/30/24 0230Z-0710Z
03/31/24 0230Z-0710Z
Yup, slipped to March 29 UTC:
B0253/24 NOTAMN
Q) MMFR/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/
A) MMFR
B) 2403290230
C) 2404030701
D) DLY 0230-0701
E) DANGEROUS AREA FOR REENTRY OF ROCKET STARLINK 7-18
LATERAL LIMIT AREA FORMED BY THE UNION OF THE FLW POINTS:
30 43N 117 24W
30 19N 117 20W
29 32N 117 06W
29 12N 116 48W
28 58N 116 22W
29 18N 115 56W
29 42N 116 06W
30 04N 116 28W
30 43N 117 19W
30 43N 117 24W
MMFR
F) SFC
G) UNLA0419/24 NOTAMR A0406/24
Q) SEFG/QXXLW/IV/NBO/AE/000/999/0000S00000W005
A) SEXX B) 2403290409 C) 2404030837
D) DLY 0409-0837
E) FALCON 9 STARLINK 7-18 STAGE 2 REENTRY AND SPLASHDOWN IN THE
UNASSIGNED FIR, SECT DELIMITED BY THE FOLLOWING COORD 0119S 11654W,
0010S 11517W, 1500S 10441W, 1500S 10724W, 0119S 11654W
F) SFC G) UNL
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#8
by
rsmath
on 27 Mar, 2024 03:05
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If SpaceX can execute the first launch opportunity, this might be another crowd-pleaser launch for the southwestern U.S.
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#9
by
realnouns
on 27 Mar, 2024 16:08
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Lindsay C + OCISLY departed PoLB on Mar 26 @ 6:06pm PT / 9:06pm ET
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#10
by
realnouns
on 27 Mar, 2024 16:10
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Go Beyond departed PoLB on Mar 27 @ 9:33am PT / 12:33pm ET
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#11
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 27 Mar, 2024 22:34
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https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1773126185121116513Targeting Thursday, March 28 for Falcon 9 to launch 22 @Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from California → spacex.com/launches
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-18SpaceX is targeting Thursday, March 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 7:30 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 11:24 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Friday, March 29 starting at 7:30 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 15th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, and eight Starlink missions. (=B1071-15) 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.
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#12
by
rsmath
on 28 Mar, 2024 01:44
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7:30 PM PDT is about 20 mins after sunset so it should not take the launcher and contrail too long to find sunshine.
Hopefully it goes on its first attempt.
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#13
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 28 Mar, 2024 10:51
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#14
by
aero
on 28 Mar, 2024 15:30
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7:30 PM PDT is about 20 mins after sunset so it should not take the launcher and contrail too long to find sunshine.
Hopefully it goes on its first attempt.
Rough calculation gives sunlight at about 5 miles up. To reach that altitude won't take long at all.
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#15
by
Ken the Bin
on 28 Mar, 2024 15:48
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Primary launch time = 2024-03-29 02:30:00 UTC per CelesTrak.
https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1773383899898576944CelesTrak has pre-launch SupGP data for the @Starlink Group 7-18 launch from Vandenberg SFB on 2024-03-29 at 02:30:00 UTC: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g7-18. Deployment of 22 satellites at 03:32:22.460 UTC. Data for 10 backup launch opportunities also provided: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/.
https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/Launch: 2024-03-29 02:30:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-29 03:32:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-29 03:10:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-29 04:12:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-29 03:32:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-29 04:34:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-29 03:40:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-29 04:42:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-29 03:54:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-29 04:56:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-29 04:40:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-29 05:42:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-29 05:10:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-29 06:12:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-29 05:20:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-29 06:22:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-29 05:34:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-29 06:36:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-29 06:16:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-29 07:18:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-03-29 06:24:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-03-29 07:26:22.460 UTC.
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#16
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 28 Mar, 2024 23:21
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#17
by
catdlr
on 29 Mar, 2024 01:38
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#18
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 29 Mar, 2024 01:53
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T-38 minutes. The SpaceX launch director should be verifying go to start propellant loading.
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#19
by
catdlr
on 29 Mar, 2024 01:54
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#20
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 29 Mar, 2024 01:57
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T-35 minutes. First stage LOX loading and first and second stage RP-1 loading should be starting about now.
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#21
by
catdlr
on 29 Mar, 2024 02:07
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Confirmed:
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-18SpaceX is targeting no earlier than Friday, March 29 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 7:30 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 11:30 p.m. PT.
A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about five minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1773545771570180605Standing down from tonight’s Falcon 9 launch of @Starlink. Targeting no earlier than Friday, March 29 for liftoff
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#22
by
zubenelgenubi
on 29 Mar, 2024 02:10
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I wonder why they forewent tonight's countdown. 🤔
How is the weather?
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#23
by
catdlr
on 29 Mar, 2024 02:11
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I wonder why they forewent tonight's countdown. 🤔
zubenelgenubi
Probably never know. Tony
Probably a joke
Tyler Gray
@TylerG1998
#Falcon9 B1071-15 saw Delta IV Heavy’s scrub earlier & decided to scrub in sympathy. 🧽
Trying again from Vandenberg NET tomorrow at 7:30 PM Pacific (02:30 UTC on Saturday):
https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1773547920823837079
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#24
by
ZachS09
on 29 Mar, 2024 02:32
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I wonder why they forewent tonight's countdown. 🤔
How is the weather?
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/vandenberg-village/93436/hourly-weather-forecast/2189840Per AccuWeather, there's no chance of precipitation and it's partly cloudy too. So, ground weather would've been good all throughout the window. Question, however, is were the upper level winds within limits? Did something within the GSE cause a hold?
Unlike ULA, which almost immediately disclosed the cause of the Delta IV Heavy scrub, SpaceX hardly opens up about scrub reasons.
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#25
by
catdlr
on 29 Mar, 2024 02:56
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#26
by
catdlr
on 29 Mar, 2024 02:59
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I wonder why they forewent tonight's countdown. 🤔
How is the weather?
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/vandenberg-village/93436/hourly-weather-forecast/2189840
Per AccuWeather, there's no chance of precipitation and it's partly cloudy too. So, ground weather would've been good all throughout the window. Question, however, is were the upper level winds within limits? Did something within the GSE cause a hold?
Unlike ULA, which almost immediately disclosed the cause of the Delta IV Heavy scrub, SpaceX hardly opens up about scrub reasons.
Here is the upper level weather conditions:
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#27
by
catdlr
on 29 Mar, 2024 03:03
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Forecast for tomorrow. 100% Rain. The next weather opportunity will be after Saturday. A large low approaching connected to the AR, bring much rain to the area through Sunday evening.
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#28
by
zubenelgenubi
on 29 Mar, 2024 03:38
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I wonder why they forewent tonight's countdown. 🤔
How is the weather?
How was/is the
space weather?
https://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=29&month=03&year=2024X-CLASS SOLAR FLARE
Giant sunspot AR3615 just produced another strong solar flare. Peaking on March 28th at 2053 UT, the X1-class explosion ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere and caused a deep shortwave radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean. This follows similar blackouts over over the Indian Ocean and South America earlier the same day due to strong M-class flares. AR3615 is active again, and more flares may be in the offing.
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#29
by
catdlr
on 29 Mar, 2024 03:51
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I wonder why they forewent tonight's countdown. 🤔
How is the weather?
How was/is the space weather?
https://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=29&month=03&year=2024
X-CLASS SOLAR FLARE
Giant sunspot AR3615 just produced another strong solar flare. Peaking on March 28th at 2053 UT, the X1-class explosion ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere and caused a deep shortwave radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean. This follows similar blackouts over over the Indian Ocean and South America earlier the same day due to strong M-class flares. AR3615 is active again, and more flares may be in the offing.
Good point. I was viewing that on another channel earlier today. Yes, that could be. I still believe a similar X1-CME was the cause of the failed Rocket lab launch last year on that same day that resulted in electrical arching in its wiring. But that's my opinion.
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#30
by
catdlr
on 29 Mar, 2024 16:21
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#31
by
zubenelgenubi
on 29 Mar, 2024 18:22
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https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-18SpaceX is targeting no earlier than Saturday, March 30 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 7:30 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 11:30 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Sunday, March 31 starting at 7:30 p.m. PT.
= 31 March 02:30 to 06:30
https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1773820694067110366UPDATE #1: @SpaceX is now targeting Mar 31 (UTC) for the next window for the @Starlink Group 7-18 launch. I have removed the data for the Mar 30 window and will post new pre-launch SupGP data once we receive new state vectors from SpaceX.
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#32
by
Martin_G
on 29 Mar, 2024 19:19
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#33
by
mlindner
on 29 Mar, 2024 21:26
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Wrote this on the thread but I'll mention it here too.
There's potentially three Falcon 9 missions within 5 hours of each other 21:52 UTC, 1:00 UTC, and 2:30 UTC.
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#34
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 30 Mar, 2024 00:43
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#35
by
catdlr
on 30 Mar, 2024 01:24
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Wrote this on the thread but I'll mention it here too.
There's potentially three Falcon 9 missions within 5 hours of each other 21:52 UTC, 1:00 UTC, and 2:30 UTC.
And...official tweets:
Targeting Saturday, March 30 for back-to-back-to-back launches from all three launch pads in Florida and California → http://spacex.com/launches
Later Saturday night at pad 4E in California, Falcon 9 is scheduled to launch an additional 22 @Starlink satellites to orbit
Ah Alas, They didn't ask the weather person on the West Coast. Pushing the VSFB launch to Sunday will probably occur. Not trying to jinx it, but it's a large cold storm with high winds, thunder, and snow.
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#36
by
alugobi
on 30 Mar, 2024 03:06
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Aaaaand once again the drone ship and support crews get stiffed by a Vandenberg scrub and then weather, to float around for a few days waiting.
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#37
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 30 Mar, 2024 03:35
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PDF of updated press kit.
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#38
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 30 Mar, 2024 16:07
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#39
by
alugobi
on 30 Mar, 2024 17:59
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Don't count on it.
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#40
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 30 Mar, 2024 19:08
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#41
by
catdlr
on 30 Mar, 2024 20:34
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Nice pictures but for VSFB, highly unlikely.
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#42
by
zubenelgenubi
on 30 Mar, 2024 22:59
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#43
by
catdlr
on 30 Mar, 2024 23:13
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Current sat/radar views of the VSFB. The main Low is just off the coast due west of VSFB. Surface winds above 20mph
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#44
by
zubenelgenubi
on 31 Mar, 2024 00:49
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https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-18SpaceX is targeting no earlier than Saturday, March 30 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 8:54 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 11:30 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Sunday, March 31 starting at 7:30 p.m. PT.
= 31 March 03:54 UTC
TS Kelso backup launch opportunity #2
https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1774255331671261211UPDATE #1: @SpaceX is now targeting the 2nd backup launch opportunity for the @Starlink Group 7-18 launch on 2024-03-31 at 03:54:00 UTC with deployment at 04:56:22.460 UTC.
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#45
by
mto
on 31 Mar, 2024 00:53
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#46
by
zubenelgenubi
on 31 Mar, 2024 03:01
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#47
by
zubenelgenubi
on 31 Mar, 2024 04:05
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https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-18SpaceX is targeting no earlier than Saturday, March 30 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 10:28 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 11:30 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Sunday, March 31 starting at 7:38 p.m. PT.
= 31 Mar 05:28 UTC
TS Kelso backup launch opportunity #6
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#48
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 31 Mar, 2024 04:44
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Pushed back another 20 mins:
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-18SpaceX is targeting no earlier than Saturday, March 30 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 10:48 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 11:30 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Sunday, March 31 starting at 7:38 p.m. PT.
= 31 Mar 05:48 UTC
TS Kelso backup launch opportunity #7
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#49
by
catdlr
on 31 Mar, 2024 04:56
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Pushed back another 20 mins:
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-18
SpaceX is targeting no earlier than Saturday, March 30 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 10:48 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 11:30 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Sunday, March 31 starting at 7:38 p.m. PT.
= 31 Mar 05:48 UTC
TS Kelso backup launch opportunity #7
They can push it back to Sunday. The Center of this storm Low is just offshore from the launch pad with winds and rain. Maybe like in that movie, they launch when the eye of the storm is right overhead.
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#50
by
catdlr
on 31 Mar, 2024 05:01
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Due to the approaching Low, the upper levels are circling around, so the LV will be experiencing winds from one side and then another as it goes up.
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#51
by
zubenelgenubi
on 31 Mar, 2024 05:05
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https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-18SpaceX is targeting no earlier than Saturday, March 30 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 11:30 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Sunday, March 31 starting at 7:38 p.m. PT.
= 31 March 06:30 UTC = the end of the launch window
TS Kelso backup launch opportunity #9
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#52
by
catdlr
on 31 Mar, 2024 05:06
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Here is the 2-day outlook chart. The Launch Windows are blocked by RED
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#53
by
catdlr
on 31 Mar, 2024 05:19
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#54
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 31 Mar, 2024 05:23
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https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1774306219219689959Due to unfavorable weather, we are standing down from tonight's Falcon 9 launch of @Starlink from California. Vehicle and payload remain healthy. Teams continue to keep an eye on the weather as they work toward the next best opportunity for liftoff – we will announce a new launch date once confirmed on the Range
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#55
by
catdlr
on 31 Mar, 2024 05:46
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#56
by
zubenelgenubi
on 31 Mar, 2024 16:41
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#57
by
Ken the Bin
on 31 Mar, 2024 16:53
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#58
by
Ken the Bin
on 31 Mar, 2024 17:48
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Primary launch opportunity per CelesTrak = 2024-04-01 02:38:00 UTC, so the FAA ATC information is correct. Given the situation, I wonder why SpaceX removed the mission webpage, and why it's still not back.
https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1774489282914418864CelesTrak has pre-launch SupGP data for the @Starlink Group 7-18 launch from Vandenberg SFB on 2024-04-01 at 02:38:00 UTC: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g7-18. Deployment of 22 satellites at 03:40:22.460 UTC. Data for 12 backup launch opportunities is also provided: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/.
https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/Launch: 2024-04-01 02:38:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-04-01 03:40:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-04-01 02:54:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-04-01 03:56:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-04-01 03:22:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-04-01 04:24:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-04-01 03:40:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-04-01 04:42:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-04-01 03:56:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-04-01 04:58:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-04-01 04:14:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-04-01 05:16:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-04-01 04:34:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-04-01 05:36:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-04-01 04:56:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-04-01 05:58:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-04-01 05:14:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-04-01 06:16:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-04-01 05:30:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-04-01 06:32:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-04-01 06:06:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-04-01 07:08:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-04-01 06:28:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-04-01 07:30:22.460 UTC.
Launch: 2024-04-01 06:30:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-04-01 07:32:22.460 UTC.
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#59
by
GewoonLukas_
on 31 Mar, 2024 17:56
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#60
by
Ken the Bin
on 31 Mar, 2024 17:58
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The mission webpage is back:
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-7-18SpaceX is targeting Monday, April 1 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 7:30 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 11:30 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Tuesday, April 2 starting at 7:30 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 15th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, and eight 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.
This means that the information that SpaceX sent to CelesTrak is completely bogus.
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#61
by
zubenelgenubi
on 31 Mar, 2024 18:15
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Primary launch opportunity per CelesTrak = 2024-04-01 02:38:00 UTC, so the FAA ATC information is correct. Given the situation, I wonder why SpaceX removed the mission webpage, and why it's still not back.
It's Easter. Somebody dropped the
ball Easter egg and they'll likely pick it up Monday. 🐣
Edit: Picked it up ASAP!
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#62
by
Ken the Bin
on 31 Mar, 2024 20:15
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Primary launch opportunity per CelesTrak = 2024-04-01 02:38:00 UTC, so the FAA ATC information is correct. Given the situation, I wonder why SpaceX removed the mission webpage, and why it's still not back.
It's Easter. Somebody dropped the ball Easter egg and they'll likely pick it up Monday. 🐣
Edit: Picked it up ASAP!
So why did SpaceX give wrong information to the FAA and to CelesTrak about a launch attempt on early April 1 UTC?
I'm thinking someone was celebrating Easter a little too much while on the job. 🐇
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#63
by
zubenelgenubi
on 31 Mar, 2024 21:21
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Primary launch opportunity per CelesTrak = 2024-04-01 02:38:00 UTC, so the FAA ATC information is correct. Given the situation, I wonder why SpaceX removed the mission webpage, and why it's still not back.
It's Easter. Somebody dropped the ball Easter egg and they'll likely pick it up Monday. 🐣
Edit: Picked it up ASAP!
So why did SpaceX give wrong information to the FAA and to CelesTrak about a launch attempt on early April 1 UTC?
I'm thinking someone was celebrating Easter a little too much while on the job. 🐇
That's a valid question. 🤔 I don't know.
We'll see if TS Kelso revises his launch opportunities listings.
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#64
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 31 Mar, 2024 21:47
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PDF of updated press kit.
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#65
by
catdlr
on 31 Mar, 2024 21:50
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Looking good for Monday evening weather-wise. I'll revisit for upper-level winds as we get closer to T-0.
Detail Two Day Forcast
Weather Data - Launch Window in Red Bracket.
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#66
by
Ken the Bin
on 01 Apr, 2024 03:59
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Primary launch opportunity per CelesTrak = 2024-04-01 02:38:00 UTC, so the FAA ATC information is correct. Given the situation, I wonder why SpaceX removed the mission webpage, and why it's still not back.
It's Easter. Somebody dropped the ball Easter egg and they'll likely pick it up Monday. 🐣
Edit: Picked it up ASAP!
So why did SpaceX give wrong information to the FAA and to CelesTrak about a launch attempt on early April 1 UTC?
I'm thinking someone was celebrating Easter a little too much while on the job. 🐇
That's a valid question. 🤔 I don't know.
We'll see if TS Kelso revises his launch opportunities listings.
The FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory has been updated to remove April 1.
https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jspSPACEX STARLINK 7-18, VANDENBERG SFB, CA
PRIMARY: 04/02/24 0230Z-0701Z
BACKUP: 04/03/24 0230Z-0710Z
Nothing was posted by T.S. Kelso on X, but the CelesTrak website has been updated for April 2, but just for the Primary launch opportunity. Normally the only time there is just a single entry is when the launch has taken place and everything has been removed except the launch opportunity that was actually used, as is shown for 6-45.
https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/
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#67
by
AJW
on 01 Apr, 2024 22:03
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NOAA forecasts can give you some general hints on conditions before you drive to a launch, especially very high winds, fog, rain and lightning, but the actual launch criteria are quite detailed. Here's a good doc on launch criteria for crew dragon, I haven't spotted one for uncrewed.
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/falcon9_crewdragon_launch_weather_criteria_fact_sheet.pdfThe criteria makes no mention of gusts, but when reading this NOAA wind forecast, it is easy to get the impression that the ground level wind gusts conveniently stop right at 7:00. I believe that NOAA doesn't report gusts below 15 mph. At 8pm, wind speeds drop to 6, but you might still have unreported gusts as high as 14. These forecasts also tell you nothing about upper level winds or the other 10 or more criteria. IANAMeteorologist, but that's my experience. (fixed a time)
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#68
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2024 00:50
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NOAA forecasts can give you some general hints on conditions before you drive to a launch, especially very high winds, fog, rain and lightning, but the actual launch criteria are quite detailed. Here's a good doc on launch criteria for crew dragon, I haven't spotted one for uncrewed.
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/falcon9_crewdragon_launch_weather_criteria_fact_sheet.pdf
The criteria makes no mention of gusts, but when reading this NOAA wind forecast, it is easy to get the impression that the ground level wind gusts conveniently stop right at 7:00. I believe that NOAA doesn't report gusts below 15 mph. At 8pm, wind speeds drop to 6, but you might still have unreported gusts as high as 14. These forecasts also tell you nothing about upper level winds or the other 10 or more criteria. IANAMeteorologist, but that's my experience. (fixed a time)
AJW we get and I report the upper levels via this link. I've tried making contact to the VSFB meteorological Group via a NASA meteorologist. No luck getting them to respond. I was advised to call the Main Gate to get the weather.
https://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/Winds/Aloft.cgi?location=SBA&Submit=Get+Forecast&hour=06&course=azimuth
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#69
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2024 01:03
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#70
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 02 Apr, 2024 01:45
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#71
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2024 02:03
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#72
by
zubenelgenubi
on 02 Apr, 2024 02:51
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Screen caps from Space Affairs
Final minutes of the countdown:
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#73
by
Comga
on 02 Apr, 2024 02:53
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Are we off-line?
This mission launched at the first opportunity 22 minutes ago.
Successful landing
Nominal orbit insertion.
Waiting for second burn of second stage and deployment
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#74
by
zubenelgenubi
on 02 Apr, 2024 02:55
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#75
by
Ron Lee
on 02 Apr, 2024 03:01
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This was a great jellyfish event.
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#76
by
zubenelgenubi
on 02 Apr, 2024 03:03
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#77
by
zubenelgenubi
on 02 Apr, 2024 03:05
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First stage ascent to MECO, stage 1/2 separation, fairing jettison:
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#78
by
zubenelgenubi
on 02 Apr, 2024 03:16
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First and second stages, including entry burn:
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#79
by
zubenelgenubi
on 02 Apr, 2024 03:19
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First stage lands on
OCISLY; second stage SECO-1 and achieves orbit:
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#80
by
zubenelgenubi
on 02 Apr, 2024 03:28
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#81
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2024 03:29
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Are we off-line?
This mission launched at the first opportunity 22 minutes ago.
Successful landing
Nominal orbit insertion.
Waiting for second burn of second stage and deployment
Comga
Steve and FST are both off-line. There was no NSF coverage. SpaceFlightNow was the only one Livestreaming.
I've been attending to my caregiving duties.
Here is the replay of the mission
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#82
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2024 03:37
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Short Summary Video
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#83
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2024 03:38
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Thank you zubenelgenubi for the excellent coverage of tonight's launch.
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#84
by
zubenelgenubi
on 02 Apr, 2024 03:51
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#85
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2024 03:59
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https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1775005356541792526https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1775005733051858971First one in on the first of April! ☝️
Updated orbital launch count as of Apr. 1 (Apr. 2 UTC):
Earth 🌎 — 62/63
USA 🇺🇸 — 37/37
China 🇨🇳 — 14/14* (1 partial failure)
Russia 🇷🇺 — 5/5
Japan 🇯🇵 — 2/3
Iran 🇮🇷 — 2/2
India 🇮🇳 — 2/2
1/3
Orbital launches by organization:
🇺🇸 — 32 SpaceX, 4 Rocket Lab, 1 ULA
🇨🇳 — 10 CASC (1 partial failure), 2 CASIC, 1 OrienSpace, 1 CAS Space
🇷🇺 — 5 TsSKB Progress
🇯🇵 — 2 MHI, 1 Space One ❌
🇮🇳 — 2 ISRO
🇮🇷 — 1 IRGC, 1 ISA
2/3
Launches by spaceport:
🇺🇸 — 15 CCSFS, 11 Vandy, 7 KSC, 1 Wallops
🇨🇳 — 4 Xichang, 4 Jiuquan, 3 Wenchang, 2 offshore, 1 Taiyuan
🇳🇿 — 3 Māhia
🇷🇺 — 3 Baikonur, 1 Plesetsk, 1 Vostochny
🇯🇵 — 2 Tanegashima, 1 Space Port Kii
🇮🇳 — 2 Satish Dhawan
🇮🇷 — 1 Shahrud, 1 Semnan
3/3
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#86
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2024 04:01
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Olivervision is located in Santa Barbara. I'll edit his video with the SpaceX feed in a few hours. I'm also waiting for my contact in San Diego to post his own.
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#87
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2024 04:14
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#88
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2024 04:49
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#89
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2024 06:18
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Fan Edit with SpaceX and OliverVision combined.
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#90
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 02 Apr, 2024 06:28
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#91
by
ApolloLee
on 02 Apr, 2024 19:47
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#92
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2024 21:59
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#93
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2024 22:10
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#94
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2024 22:11
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#95
by
shiro
on 03 Apr, 2024 18:12
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Some reusability stats for this launch (Starlink Group 7-18):
Booster B1071.15 turnaround time:
52 days 1 hour 56 minutes(its previous mission was Starlink Group 7-13 on Feb 10, 2024 UTC).
FYI: median turnaround time for Falcon 9 / Heavy boosters is currently 49.85 days *
* – based on the last 30 launches, excluding new first stages.
Launchpad SLC-4E turnaround time:
14 days 0 hours 2 minutes(the previous launch from this pad was Starlink Group 7-16 on Mar 19, 2024 UTC).
FYI: median turnaround time for SLC-4E is currently 10.97 days *
* – based on the last 30 launches.
The same type of stats for previous SpaceX launches may be found on
this spreadsheet online.
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#96
by
zubenelgenubi
on 03 Apr, 2024 20:25
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#97
by
realnouns
on 04 Apr, 2024 02:56
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Go Beyond returned to PoLB on Apr 3 @ 11:28am PT / 2:28pm ET
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#98
by
realnouns
on 04 Apr, 2024 02:57
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Lindsay C + OCISLY + B1071 returned to PoLB on Apr 3 @ 1:10pm PT / 4:10pm ET
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#99
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 10 Apr, 2024 04:40
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