SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-62 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 22/23 May 2024 (02:35 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Thread for the Starlink 6-62 group launch.

Launch 23 May 2024, at 02:35:00 UTC (22 May 10:35 pm EDT), from CCSFS SLC-40, on booster 1080-8.  The first stage successfully landed aboard A Shortfall of Gravitas.

Payload 23 Starlink V2 Mini satellites to 43 degree inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit 284 x 294 km.

Please use the Starlink Discussion Thread for all general discussion on Starlink.

Check the Starlink Index Thread for links to more Starlink information.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-posts:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide; updated May 13 after Starlink 6-58 launch; my bold:

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. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.

Cross-post:

With JRTI drydocked in Freeport, I deduce ASOG will serve [Starlink 6-59].

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

I also wonder if LC-39A is now occupied in preparation for the GOES-U launch (NET June 25), and that all Florida Falcon 9 launches from now into July will be from SLC-40.

Launch NET May 23/24, from SLC-40, ASOG first stage landing (5.5 day turnaround)?

If the drydocking extends into the last days of May, then there could be one more Starlink launch at the end of May, using SLC-40 and ASOG.

Edit May 14: It's Starlink 6-63.  The launch cadence skipped Starlink 6-60, 6-61, and 6-62.

Edit May 16: Now it's Starlink 6-62.

[Ken the Bin]

It looks like the next Starlink launch from the cape is going to be Starlink Group 6-63 (no topic yet).

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

EROP X2254 STARLINK 6-63 CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:        05/22/24        2311Z-0342Z
BACKUP:         05/23/24        2245Z-0316Z
                05/24/24        2218Z-0249Z
                05/25/24        2152Z-0223Z
                05/26/24        2126Z-0157Z
                05/27/24        2100Z-0131Z
                05/28/24        2034Z-0105Z

Edit: zubenelgenubi
I split/merged/edited these posts to a thread re-purposed and re-titled from the hypothetical Starlink 6-60.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

It looks like the next Starlink launch from the cape is going to be Starlink Group 6-63 (no topic yet).

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

EROP X2254 STARLINK 6-63 CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:        05/22/24        2311Z-0342Z
BACKUP:         05/23/24        2245Z-0316Z
                05/24/24        2218Z-0249Z
                05/25/24        2152Z-0223Z
                05/26/24        2126Z-0157Z
                05/27/24        2100Z-0131Z
                05/28/24        2034Z-0105Z

No NOTAMs filed for this anywhere on the globe yet, I'll open one when they come.

[zubenelgenubi]

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide; updated May 14; my bold:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 17 at 7:52-11:52 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 22 at 7:11-11:11 p.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.

[Ken the Bin]

This launch (6-63) is now gone from the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Adivisory.

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

[Ken the Bin]

NGA Rocket Launching notice.

It's a few hours later than the now-gone information from the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory.
Launch window on May 23 should be 02:33-06:33 UTC.

151729Z MAY 24
NAVAREA IV 548/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORDIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   230233Z TO 230704Z MAY, ALTERNATE
   240206Z TO 240637Z, 250140Z TO 250611Z,
   260114Z TO 260545Z, 270048Z TO 270519Z AND
   280022Z TO 280453Z MAY
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39.00N 080-37.70W, 28-39.00N 080-28.00W,
      28-30.00N 080-10.00W, 28-24.00N 080-09.00W,
      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 THIS MSG 280553Z.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

NGA Rocket Launching notice.

It's a few hours later than the now-gone information from the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory.
Launch window on May 23 should be 02:33-06:33 UTC.

151729Z MAY 24
NAVAREA IV 548/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORDIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   230233Z TO 230704Z MAY, ALTERNATE
   240206Z TO 240637Z, 250140Z TO 250611Z,
   260114Z TO 260545Z, 270048Z TO 270519Z AND
   280022Z TO 280453Z MAY
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39.00N 080-37.70W, 28-39.00N 080-28.00W,
      28-30.00N 080-10.00W, 28-24.00N 080-09.00W,
      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 THIS MSG 280553Z.

Yup, and it also shows up on NOTAMs for the 2nd stage drop zones...except that it's called Starlink Group 6-62 there. Actually the NOTAMs first appeared a day ago but 6-62 was initially scheduled a day earlier (2 others still has the NET May 22 UTC/21 EDT date) so I was thinking if 6-62 and 6-63 are different launches with one going to LC-39A. Turns out it isn't.

And Ben Cooper also agreed with that:

A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 22 at 10:33 p.m.-2:33 a.m. EDT.

F1809/24 NOTAMR F1792/24
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/1532S08314E715
A) YMMM
B) 2405230423 C) 2405280706
D) 2405230423 TO 2405230917
   2405240356 TO 2405240850
   2405250330 TO 2405250824
   2405260304 TO 2405260758
   2405270238 TO 2405270732
   2405280212 TO 2405280706
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 6-62 WI THE FOLLOWING
AREAS:
2033S 07500E
0746S 08927E
0853S 09228E
2422S 07500E TO BEGINNING
F) SFC G) UNL

[Ken the Bin]

A new cancel-and-replace NGA Rocket Launching notice.

The schedule reverts back to what was in the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory, except that May 22 is not included.
Primary launch window is May 23 at 22:45-02:45 UTC. (If it is a Starlink launch with a Rocket Launching marine hazard period of 4 hours and 31 minutes, then the first 4 hours are the actual launch window. Of course for any given launch that entire period may not actually get launch opportunities assigned due to weather, COLA, etc.)

160139Z MAY 24
NAVAREA IV 551/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORDIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   232245Z TO 240316Z MAY, ALTERNATE
   242218Z TO 250249Z, 252152Z TO 260223Z,
   262126Z TO 270157Z, 272100Z TO 280131Z AND
   282034Z TO 290105Z MAY
   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 548/24
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 300205Z MAY 24.

[zubenelgenubi]

Primary launch window is May 23 at 22:45-02:45 UTC. (If it is a Starlink launch with a Rocket Launching marine hazard period of 4 hours and 31 minutes, then the first 4 hours are the actual launch window. Of course for any given launch that entire period may not actually get launch opportunities assigned due to weather, COLA, etc.)

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

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 17 at 8:32-11:30 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 23 at 6:45-10:45 p.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.

[ZachS09]

On Next Spaceflight, both this mission and Starlink 6-59 are the only listed Group 6 launches left.

Does this mean that 6-62 may be the last Group 6 mission?

[GewoonLukas_]

On Next Spaceflight, both this mission and Starlink 6-59 are the only listed Group 6 launches left.

Does this mean that 6-62 may be the last Group 6 mission?

No, it's because SpaceX doesn't publish FCC filings anymore (for at least Starlink launches), and instead uses the "generic" FCC filing for Falcon launches:

In fact, every Starlink Group 6 launch after Group 6-54 has used this license

0312-EX-ST-2024
0340-EX-ST-2024

This STA is necessary to extend authorization for launch vehicle communications for upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy missions from the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, and Vandenberg Space Force Base, and recovery operations.

This STA is necessary to extend authorization for launch vehicle communications for upcoming SpaceX Dragon missions to the International Space Station and recovery operations.

[zubenelgenubi]

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.


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:
1077.13  Apr 17
1080.8    Apr 18
1078.10  Apr 23
1076.14  Apr 28
1067.20  May 3  (maybe)

Edit May 22: It's B1080.8, skipping over B1077.13.

[oldAtlas_Eguy]

Yes. Using ASOG back to back is a turnaround of >5 and <6 day period. Which is why a 23 May date is set for this flight. If this one flies on time the next still using ASOG would be NET 28 May.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

NGA Rocket Launching notice.

It's a few hours later than the now-gone information from the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory.
Launch window on May 23 should be 02:33-06:33 UTC.

151729Z MAY 24
NAVAREA IV 548/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORDIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   230233Z TO 230704Z MAY, ALTERNATE
   240206Z TO 240637Z, 250140Z TO 250611Z,
   260114Z TO 260545Z, 270048Z TO 270519Z AND
   280022Z TO 280453Z MAY
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39.00N 080-37.70W, 28-39.00N 080-28.00W,
      28-30.00N 080-10.00W, 28-24.00N 080-09.00W,
      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 THIS MSG 280553Z.

Can someone check if this notice has been reinstated? On the 2nd stage de-orbit NOTAMs side there are now 2 sets of notices filed, with one lining-up with this cancelled one and named 6-62 and another that lines up with the currently active one and named 6-63. With JRTI probably back in action soon it seems SpaceX is lining up 2 Starlink launches next week.

[Ken the Bin]

NGA Rocket Launching notice.

It's a few hours later than the now-gone information from the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory.
Launch window on May 23 should be 02:33-06:33 UTC.

151729Z MAY 24
NAVAREA IV 548/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORDIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   230233Z TO 230704Z MAY, ALTERNATE
   240206Z TO 240637Z, 250140Z TO 250611Z,
   260114Z TO 260545Z, 270048Z TO 270519Z AND
   280022Z TO 280453Z MAY
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39.00N 080-37.70W, 28-39.00N 080-28.00W,
      28-30.00N 080-10.00W, 28-24.00N 080-09.00W,
      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 THIS MSG 280553Z.

Can someone check if this notice has been reinstated? On the 2nd stage de-orbit NOTAMs side there are now 2 sets of notices filed, with one lining-up with this cancelled one and named 6-62 and another that lines up with the currently active one and named 6-63. With JRTI probably back in action soon it seems SpaceX is lining up 2 Starlink launches next week.

I searched several different ways and I don't see anything.

[zubenelgenubi]

Can someone check if this notice has been reinstated? On the 2nd stage de-orbit NOTAMs side there are now 2 sets of notices filed, with one lining-up with this cancelled one and named 6-62 and another that lines up with the currently active one and named 6-63. With JRTI probably back in action soon it seems SpaceX is lining up 2 Starlink launches next week.

JRTI back in play soon:
https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1792198079695012307

A satellite view of JTRI sitting in the drydock at Freeport yesterday.
Capture time: 2024-05-18 15:42:38 UTC.

Awesome shot of JRTI in drydock! Bob arrived at Freeport this morning to collect the droneship.

Is Bob carrying equipment and goods, or same purchased in Freeport, so that JRTI can be towed directly to a recovery zone, without provisioning at Port Canaveral?

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Ben Cooper now lists both Starlink launches on his site according to 2nd stage reentry NOTAMs, with 6-62 going out of SLC-40 late May 22 EDT:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 22 at 10:33 p.m.-1:33 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on May 23 earliest at 6:45-10:45 p.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.

And related NOTAMs:
F1809/24 NOTAMR F1792/24
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/1532S08314E715
A) YMMM
B) 2405230423 C) 2405280706
D) 2405230423 TO 2405230917
   2405240356 TO 2405240850
   2405250330 TO 2405250824
   2405260304 TO 2405260758
   2405270238 TO 2405270732
   2405280212 TO 2405280706
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 6-62 WI THE FOLLOWING
AREAS:
2033S 07500E
0746S 08927E
0853S 09228E
2422S 07500E TO BEGINNING
F) SFC G) UNL

A0109/24 NOTAMN
Q) FIMM/QRALW/IV/NBO/W/000/999/2530S06515E999
A) FIMM
B) 2405220449 C) 2405280706
D) 22 0449-0943
23 0423-0917
24 0356-0850
25 0330-0824
26 0304-0758
27 0238-0732
28 0212-0706

E) STATIONARY ALTITUDE RESERVATION FOR HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS FROM SFC
TO UNL FOR ATMOSPHERIC RE-ENTRY AND SPLASHDOWN OF LAUNCH VEHICLE
SPACEX STARLINK 6-62 STAGE 2 WI AN AREA BOUNDED BY FLW COORD:
3210S 05700E
3012S 06109E
2033S 07500E
2422S 07500E
3216S 06310E
3515S 05700E TO BEGINNING
PRIMARY RE-ENTRY BTN 0449 AND 0943 ON 22 MAY 2024 . BACK UP
RE-ENTRY BTN 23 MAY 2024 AND 28 MAY 2024 AS PER FIELD D.
F) SFC G) UNL).

A1741/24 NOTAMN
Q) FAJO/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/3733S02941E999
A) FAJO B) 2405220449 C) 2405280706
D) 22 MAY 0449-0943, 23 MAY 0423-0917, 24 MAY 0356-0850, 25 MAY
0330-0824, 26 MAY 0304-0758, 27 MAY 0238-0732, 28 MAY 0212-0706
E) AREA BOUNDED BY (4256S 00224W, 4045S 00221W, 3210S 05700E, 3515S
05700E): STARLINK 6-62 ROCKET RE-ENTRY OPS TAKING PLACE. APPLICABLE
AIRSPACE DOWNGRADED TO GLASS G.
F) SFC G) UNL

[realnouns]

Bob + JRTI departed Freeport on May 19 @ 5:35pm ET

[Ken the Bin]

Hot off the press ... a new NGA Rocket Launching notice to replace the one that was canceled-and-replaced with the schedule for 6-63.

Standard Starlink four hours and 31 minutes hazard period, meaning that the first four hours are the launch window.

201629Z MAY 24
NAVAREA IV 580/24(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORDIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   230233Z TO 230704Z MAY, ALTERNATE
   240206Z TO 240637Z, 250140Z TO 250611Z,
   260114Z TO 260545Z, 270048Z TO 270519Z AND
   280022Z TO 280453Z MAY
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39.00N 080-37.70W, 28-39.00N 080-28.00W,
      28-30.00N 080-10.00W, 28-24.00N 080-09.00W,
      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 THIS MSG 280553Z MAY 24.

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

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.//

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.//