SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-59 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 17/18 May 2024 (00:32 UTC)

SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-59 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 17/18 May 2024 (00:32 UTC) by Galactic Penguin SST on 11 May, 2024 09:28
Thread for the Starlink 6-59 group launch.

Launch 18 May 2024, at 00:32:00 UTC (8:32 pm EDT), from CCSFS SLC-40, on booster 1062-21. The first stage will land aboard A Shortfall of Gravitas.

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.
#1 by Galactic Penguin SST on 11 May, 2024 09:30
F1750/24 NOTAMN Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/1513S08257E730 A) YMMM B) 2405180142 C) 2405230555 D) 2405180142 TO 2405180614 2405190146 TO 2405190614 2405200120 TO 2405200614 2405210120 TO 2405210614 2405220120 TO 2405220614 2405230101 TO 2405230555 E) ROCKET LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE FLW RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENT OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: HAZARDOUS OPS WILL BE CONDUCTED FOR ATMOSPHERIC RE-ENTRY AND SPLASHDOWN OF LAUNCH VEHICLE FALCON-9 STARLINK 6-59 STAGE 2 WI THE FOLLOWING AREAS: 2033S 07500E 0746S 08927E 0853S 09228E 2422S 07500E TO BEGINNING PRIMARY LAUNCH 240518 BACKUP AS PER FIELD D F) SFC G) UNL

I got the approximate launch time by subtracting the time between current window opening and this 2nd stage de-orbit zone activation time for similar 6-58 (1 hours, 50 minutes), which IIRC is more or less accurate.

The launch window opening is currently less than 2 hours after the planned launch of Starliner CFT.
#2 by zubenelgenubi on 11 May, 2024 17:12
Nothing yet from Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide; updated May 8 after Starlink 6-56 launch; my bold:
Quote
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 12 at 8:11 p.m.-12:11 a.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.
#3 by Ken the Bin on 13 May, 2024 04:13

NGA Rocket Lauching [sic] notice. Note that the Primary Day hazard period starts on May 18 at 01:22 UTC.

Quote from: NGA

130251Z MAY 24
NAVAREA IV 532/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUCHING
   180122Z TO 180553Z MAY, ALTERNATE
   190056Z TO 190527Z, 200029Z TO 200500Z,
   210003Z TO 210434Z, 212337Z TO 220408Z,
   222311Z TO 230342Z AND 232245Z TO 240316Z MAY
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-38.53N 080-37.35W, 28-39.00N 080-37.00W,
      28-37.00N 080-27.00W, 28-26.00N 080-08.00W,
      28-20.00N 080-00.00W, 28-17.00N 080-02.00W,
      28-30.00N 080-32.00W, 28-30.72N 080-33.15W.
   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 THIS MSG 240416Z MAY 24.

Multi-launch NGA Space Debris notices (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas).

Quote from: NGA

240407Z APR 24
HYDROLANT 869/24(57,61,71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   0001Z TO 2359Z DAILY 27 APR THRU 31 MAY
   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 010059Z JUN 24.//

Quote from: NGA

240407Z APR 24
HYDROPAC 1342/24(57,61,71).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 01, DNC 02, DNC 03.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   0001Z TO 2359Z DAILY 27 APR THRU 31 MAY
   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 010059Z JUN 24.//

#4 by Josh_from_Canada on 13 May, 2024 05:44
Ben Cooper now listing this launch from SLC-40 with the window between 01:22 UTC and 05:22 UTC

https://www.launchphotography.com/Launch_Viewing_Guide.html

Quote
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 17 at 9:22 p.m.-1:22 a.m. EDT.
#5 by zubenelgenubi on 13 May, 2024 12:46
With JRTI drydocked in Freeport, I deduce ASOG will serve this launch.

For the duration of the drydocking, ASOG turnaround will gate the Florida launch cadence.

Also, if the Starliner CFT launch date/time holds, then we may see adjacent pads occupied part of the day of May 17: SLC-41 and SLC-40--unless the Falcon 9 roll-out is delayed until directly after the Atlas V launches.

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.

1073.16 and 1076.14 may undergo modifications to become Falcon Heavy side boosters for a future launch, but both are currently available for "single-stick" launches. (I personally wonder if the above will be done.)

Available first stages, with UTC date of most recent recovery:
1062.21 Apr 13 (likely out of rotation for extensive engineering analysis)
1077.13 Apr 17
1080.8 Apr 18
1078.10 Apr 23
1076.14 Apr 28 (maybe)

Edit May 16: It's B1062.21! No months-long engineering analysis.
#6 by Ken the Bin on 13 May, 2024 21:22

A cancel-and-replace Rocket Lauching [sic] notice changing the Primary launch opportunity to May 17 at 23:52 UTC.

Quote from: NGA

131736Z MAY 24
NAVAREA IV 537/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUCHING
   172352Z TO 180401Z MAY, ALTERNATE
   182356Z TO 190401Z, 192330Z TO 200401Z,
   202330Z TO 210401Z, 212330Z TO 220401Z AND
   222311Z TO 230342Z MAY
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-38.53N 080-37.35W, 28-39.00N 080-37.00W,
      28-37.00N 080-27.00W, 28-26.00N 080-08.00W,
      28-20.00N 080-00.00W, 28-17.00N 080-02.00W,
      28-30.00N 080-32.00W, 28-30.72N 080-33.15W.
   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 532/24.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 230442Z MAY 24.

#7 by OneSpeed on 14 May, 2024 02:20
Quote from: Ken the Bin on 13 May, 2024 04:13
NGA Rocket Lauching [sic] notice.

Maps from the Lauching [sic] and Space Debris notices. From the Lauch [sic] area, the most likely pad is LC-39A, which would make the ASDS 604km downrange.

EDIT: It's SLC-40, so 600km downrange.
#8 by Ken the Bin on 15 May, 2024 03:52

The FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory now has this launch, matching the most recent NGA notice.

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

Quote from: FAA

STARLINK 6-59 CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:        05/17/24        2352Z-0401Z
BACKUP:         05/18/24        2356Z-0401Z
                05/19/24        2330Z-0401Z
                05/20/24        2330Z-0401Z
                05/21/24        2330Z-0401Z
                05/22/24        2311Z-0342Z

#9 by GewoonLukas_ on 16 May, 2024 07:39
ASOG departed Port Canaveral at ~4:10 UTC
#10 by realnouns on 16 May, 2024 14:50
Signet Warhorse I + ASOG departed PC on May 16 @ 12:12am ET
#11 by realnouns on 16 May, 2024 14:52
Doug departed PC on May 16 @ 8:46am ET
#12 by Ken the Bin on 16 May, 2024 16:05
L-1 weather forecast. 75%->95% 'Go' for May 17. 40%->80% 'Go' for May 18. All Additional Risk Criteria are Low.

Falcon 9 Starlink 6-59 L-1 Forecast - 17 May Launch.pdf
#13 by GewoonLukas_ on 16 May, 2024 21:57
Booster B1062-21
NET May 18th, 00:32 UTC

Quote
SpaceX is targeting Friday, May 17 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 8:32 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 11:30 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Saturday, May 18 starting at 8:06 p.m. ET.

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

This is the 21st flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, OneWeb Launch 17, ARABSAT BADR-8, and 13 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-6-59

Twitter/X Webcast: https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1mrxmyQqAldxy
#14 by Steven Pietrobon on 16 May, 2024 22:55
PDF of online press kit.

Starlink Group 6-59.pdf
#15 by zubenelgenubi on 17 May, 2024 00:44
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1791223235507355727
Quote
Targeting Friday, May 17 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 @Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Florida → http://spacex.com/launches
#16 by catdlr on 17 May, 2024 02:04
SpaceX Broadcast Link on Twitter: https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1mrxmyQqAldxy

Space Affairs YouTube (Re-broadcast): https://youtube.com/watch?v=jbAwHi67ZyM

Replay supplied by The Space Dev's (15 min after the broadcast end): https://youtube.com/@thespacedevs/videos

Summary Video provided by SciNews (15 min after the broadcast ends): https://youtube.com/@SciNewsRo/videos
#17 by Ken the Bin on 17 May, 2024 12:41
Primary launch opportunity is 2024-05-18 00:32:00 UTC per CelesTrak.

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1791394239865389387

Quote from: T.S. Kelso
CelesTrak has pre-launch SupGP data for the @Starlink Group 6-59 launch from Cape Canaveral on 2024-05-18 at 00:32:00 UTC: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g6-59. Deployment of 23 satellites at 01:37:23.020 UTC. Data for 8 backup launch opportunities also provided: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/.

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

Launch: 2024-05-18 00:32:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-05-18 01:37:23.020 UTC.
Launch: 2024-05-18 00:38:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-05-18 01:43:23.020 UTC.
Launch: 2024-05-18 00:52:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-05-18 01:57:23.020 UTC.
Launch: 2024-05-18 01:06:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-05-18 02:11:23.020 UTC.
Launch: 2024-05-18 01:22:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-05-18 02:27:23.020 UTC.
Launch: 2024-05-18 01:36:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-05-18 02:41:23.020 UTC.
Launch: 2024-05-18 01:52:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-05-18 02:57:23.020 UTC.
Launch: 2024-05-18 03:16:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-05-18 04:21:23.020 UTC.
Launch: 2024-05-18 03:30:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-05-18 04:35:23.020 UTC.
#18 by FutureSpaceTourist on 17 May, 2024 23:45
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1791615737431560342

Quote
Less than one hour until Falcon 9’s launch of 23 @Starlink satellites from Florida. All systems are looking good and weather is 95% favorable for liftoff → spacex.com/launches
#19 by catdlr on 18 May, 2024 01:15
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1791636698318745634

Quote
Falcon going to orbit as seen from the ocean
#20 by catdlr on 18 May, 2024 01:17
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1791629120553537980

Quote
Jellyfish, thrusters on the fairings, Booster returning and Second Stage continuing on NSF's tracking cameras!

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1791633330519130360

Quote
Booster 1062 has achieved the milestone of the first booster to complete a 21st launch and landing!

https://x.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1791635975870841252

Quote
All of Falcon 9 can be seen in this photo from tonight’s Starlink launch:

• Stage 2 (R) heads to orbit with 23 new satellites

• Two fairing halves (M) prepare for an ocean landing

• Stage 1 (L) puffs its nitrogen thrusters as it readies for reentry & landing on a droneship

https://twitter.com/_mgde_/status/1791659295282540782

Quote
Starlink 6-59 - a visual FEAST

Falcon 9 lights up the skies of Florida’s space coast, launching the Starlink 6-59 payload from SLC-40 at 8:32pm local time.

Full version of Max Evans video is available on L2[/quote]
#21 by catdlr on 18 May, 2024 01:20
Complete Replay in HD
#22 by catdlr on 18 May, 2024 01:21
Summary video:
#23 by catdlr on 18 May, 2024 01:36
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1791630119683178567

Quote
Falcon 9 completes its first 21st launch and landing!
#24 by catdlr on 18 May, 2024 01:40
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1791644360918102053

Quote
Deployment of 23 @Starlink satellites confirmed
6:37 PM · May 17, 2024
·
#25 by gsa on 18 May, 2024 11:46
Quote from: catdlr on 18 May, 2024 01:36
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1791630119683178567
Quote
Falcon 9 completes its first 21st launch and landing!
Hey Tony, if you changed the address to twitter.com, it would be expanded.
#26 by catdlr on 18 May, 2024 14:07
Quote from: gsa on 18 May, 2024 11:46

Hey Tony, if you changed the address to twitter.com, it would be expanded.

Done thanks. I think NSF needs to update their script to fix that automatically.
#27 by shiro on 18 May, 2024 14:20
Some reusability stats for this launch (Starlink Group 6-59):

Booster B1062.21 turnaround time:
34 days 22 hours 52 minutes
(its previous mission was Starlink Group 6-49 on Apr 13, 2024 UTC).

FYI: median turnaround time for Falcon 9 / Heavy boosters is currently 37.48 days *
* – based on the last 30 launches, excluding new first stages.

Launchpad SLC-40 turnaround time:
4 days 23 hours 39 minutes
(the previous launch from this pad was Starlink Group 6-58 on May 13, 2024 UTC).

FYI: median turnaround time for SLC-40 is currently 5.08 days *
* – based on the last 30 launches.

The same type of stats for previous SpaceX launches may be found on this spreadsheet online.
#28 by FutureSpaceTourist on 18 May, 2024 17:46
#29 by zubenelgenubi on 19 May, 2024 17:15
https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1792004938635051390
Quote
A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship should deliver Falcon 9 fleet leader B1062 back to Port Canaveral on Sunday afternoon.

Doug returns with the catch of May 18 UTC.

Followed by ASOG with B1062.21.

Screencaps from Space Coast Live
#30 by FutureSpaceTourist on 19 May, 2024 19:00
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1792268730644271456

Quote
SpaceX's Falcon 9 B1062, with 21 missions under its belt, is returning to Port Canaveral on ASOG, live drone views via Jerry Pike (@JerryPikePhoto)

nsf.live/spacecoast
#31 by realnouns on 19 May, 2024 19:35
Doug returned to PC on May 19 @ 1:09pm ET
#32 by realnouns on 19 May, 2024 19:37
Signet Warhorse I + ASOG + B1062 returned to PC on May 19 @ 3:09pm ET
#33 by FutureSpaceTourist on 19 May, 2024 19:44
https://twitter.com/jennyhphoto/status/1792279651160592800

Quote
SpaceX Falcon 9 fleet leader B1062 returned to Port Canaveral after completing 21 missions.

📷: Me for @SuperclusterHQ
#34 by FutureSpaceTourist on 19 May, 2024 22:19
twitter.com/_mgde_/status/1792298385375916297

Quote
Falcon 9 booster B1062: 21 trips beyond the Karman Line and back.

~3 hours of total flight time, 8 astronauts, and over 500 satellites carried in 3 1/2 years of unparalleled service.

📸 - @NASASpaceflight

📺 - nsf.live/spacecoast

https://twitter.com/_mgde_/status/1792298883126637017

Quote
With current aspirations to certify Falcon boosters up to 40 flights, there is still some way to go before reaching that milestone.

But SpaceX teams show no fear as they continuously prepare to dive deeper into the unknown to find out just how far the realm of reusability can be pushed with this program.
#35 by nalawod on 20 May, 2024 01:28
Nobody mentioned booster 1062 trying to compete in Thunder on the Beach today.
#36 by FutureSpaceTourist on 20 May, 2024 06:12
https://twitter.com/spaceoffshore/status/1792247256273277077

Quote
SpaceX recovery ship Doug delivers both fairing halves from the latest Starlink launch. ASOG is likely to arrive on the next few hours with fleet leader F9 B1062. nsf.live/spacecoast
#37 by zubenelgenubi on 20 May, 2024 08:33
https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1792267724866879856
Quote
The Falcon 9 fleet leader, with 21 flights of experience, is now arriving at Port Canaveral!
#38 by catdlr on 21 May, 2024 16:27