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SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-63 : KSC LC-39A : 23/24 May 2024 (02:45 UTC)
by
zubenelgenubi
on 17 May, 2024 20:51
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Thread for the Starlink 6-63 group launch.
Launch 24 May 2024, at 02:45:00 UTC (23 May 10:45 pm EDT), from KSC LC-39A, on booster 1077-13. 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.
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#1
by
zubenelgenubi
on 17 May, 2024 21:00
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Cross-posts:
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.
Starlink 6-62 and 6-63?
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.
LC-39A:
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.
Near-term not-Starlink launch schedule; also noting LC-39A use:
<snip>
GOES-U (Jun 25, LC-39A)
GSAT-20 / GSAT-N2 (Jun? Q2, presumably SLC-40)
Turksat 6A (Jul 8, presumably SLC-40)
<snip>
JRTI:
If the [JRTI] drydocking [in Freeport] 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.
If the drydocking continues, then launch of the next
Starlink Group 6 cluster could be NET May 29, from SLC-40, with ASOG first stage landing (5.5 day turnaround).
I deduce the Starlink launch cadence will increase when
JRTI returns from drydock, with SLC-40 turnaround as the gating mechanism.
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#2
by
zubenelgenubi
on 19 May, 2024 17:34
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#3
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 20 May, 2024 05:05
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Ben Cooper now lists 2 Starlink launches on his site, with 6-63 going later from LC-39A.
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.
Related NOTAMs:
F1831/24 NOTAMN
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/1531S08327E720
A) YMMM
B) 2405240035 C) 2405290318
D) 2405240035 TO 2405240529
2405250008 TO 2405250502
2405252342 TO 2405260436
2405262316 TO 2405270410
2405272250 TO 2405280344
2405282224 TO 2405290318
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 6-63 WI THE FOLLOWING
AREAS:
2033S 07500E
0746S 08927E
0853S 09228E
2422S 07500E TO BEGINNING
F) SFC G) UNL A1792/24 NOTAMN
Q) FAJO/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/3733S02941E999
A) FAJO B) 2405240035 C) 2405290318
D) 24 MAY 0035-0529, 25 MAY 0008-0502, 25 MAY 2342-26 MAY 0436, 26 MAY
2316-27 MAY 0410, 27 MAY 2250-28 MAY 0344, 28 MAY 2224-29 MAY 0318
E) AREA BOUNDED BY (4256S 00224W, 4045S 00221W, 3210S 05700E, 3515S
05700E): STARLINK 6-63 ROCKET RE-ENTRY OPS TAKING PLACE. APPLICABLE
AIRSPACE DOWNGRADED TO GLASS G.
F) SFC G) UNL
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#4
by
Ken the Bin
on 20 May, 2024 13:47
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So these NGA notices belong in this topic ...
NGA Rocket Launching notice:
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.
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.//
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#5
by
zubenelgenubi
on 20 May, 2024 23:13
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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 Starlink 6-62
1078.10 Apr 23
1076.14 Apr 28
1067.20 May 3 (maybe)
Edit May 23 UTC: It's B1077.13.
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#6
by
realnouns
on 20 May, 2024 23:28
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Signet Warhorse I + ASOG departed PC on May 20 @ 6:14pm ET
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#7
by
OneSpeed
on 21 May, 2024 00:48
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So these NGA notices belong in this topic ...
Maps from the NGA notices. ASDS 604km downrange.
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#8
by
Ken the Bin
on 21 May, 2024 03:58
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In the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory, with some errors.
https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jspSPACEX STARLINK 6-63, CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY: 05/23/24 2245Z-24/0316Z
BACKUP: 05/24/24 2218Z-25/0223Z
05/25/24 2152Z-26/0157Z
05/26/24 2126Z-27/0157Z
05/27/24 2100Z-28/0131Z
05/28/24 2034Z-29/0105Z
The location should be KENNEDY SPACE CENTER of course.
On the line for 05/24/24, the end time should be 25/0249Z.
On the line for 05/25/24, the end time should be 26/0223Z.
(0249 is omitted and 0223 shifted up into its place. 0157 is shifted up to where 0223 should be. 0157 is repeated in its correct position.)
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#9
by
realnouns
on 21 May, 2024 14:42
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Doug departed PC on May 21 @ 10:18am ET
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#10
by
Ken the Bin
on 22 May, 2024 14:20
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L-1 weather forecast. 95% 'Go' for May 23. 90% 'Go' for May 24. All Additional Risk Criteria are Low.
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#11
by
Ken the Bin
on 23 May, 2024 01:45
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#12
by
Ken the Bin
on 23 May, 2024 04:21
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SpaceX mission webpage is online.
Primary launch opportunity = 22:45 UTC, matching CelesTrak.
Booster = B1077-13.
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-6-63SpaceX is targeting Thursday, May 23 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 6:45 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 10:13 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Friday, May 24 starting at 6:26 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 13th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, NG-20, and six Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1793489454327574860Up next: our third Falcon 9 launch of the week is targeted to lift off from pad 39A in Florida on Thursday night → http://spacex.com/launches
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#13
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 23 May, 2024 08:58
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#14
by
catdlr
on 23 May, 2024 09:31
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#15
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 23 May, 2024 16:38
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#16
by
Ken the Bin
on 23 May, 2024 23:15
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NSF webcast (video id JOQnbaqOkM8):
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#17
by
ZachS09
on 23 May, 2024 23:49
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#18
by
crandles57
on 24 May, 2024 00:10
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Then decided 10:45 was nearer?
Or maybe there are just issues in being ready?
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#19
by
ZachS09
on 24 May, 2024 01:58
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Then decided 10:45 was nearer?
Or maybe there are just issues in being ready?
I was originally thinking your second prediction, but after reading the article, I had a feeling the launch was delayed on purpose.
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#20
by
mn
on 24 May, 2024 02:50
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#21
by
mn
on 24 May, 2024 02:58
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#22
by
mn
on 24 May, 2024 02:59
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#23
by
rsmath
on 24 May, 2024 03:14
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Orbit appears to be nominal and the stage is set for a good visual opportunity of the upper stage and new Starlink bunch starting about 9:10 PM PT for California, Arizona, southern Nevada and southern Utah. Only a very brief sighting for southern Colorado and New Mexico -- goes into orbital sunset about 20 degrees up from the horizon in Albuquerque followed not too long by a plume explosion which I assume is the upper stage deorbit burn ignition.
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#24
by
catdlr
on 24 May, 2024 03:31
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Full SpaceX replay in HD:
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#25
by
catdlr
on 24 May, 2024 03:32
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Summary Video:
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#26
by
shiro
on 24 May, 2024 03:38
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Some reusability stats for this launch (Starlink Group 6-63):
Booster B1077.13 turnaround time:
36 days 5 hours 19 minutes(its previous mission was Starlink Group 6-51 on Apr 17, 2024 UTC).
FYI: median turnaround time for Falcon 9 / Heavy boosters is currently 35.64 days *
* – based on the last 30 launches, excluding new first stages.
Launchpad LC-39A turnaround time:
15 days 8 hours 3 minutes(the previous launch from this pad was Starlink Group 6-56 on May 8, 2024 UTC).
FYI: median turnaround time for LC-39A is currently 17.29 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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#27
by
mn
on 24 May, 2024 03:54
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#28
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 24 May, 2024 06:06
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#29
by
catdlr
on 24 May, 2024 19:48
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SpaceX - Starlink 6-63 - Flashback to Starlink #1May 24, 2024, JOHN F. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
We do not usually film Starlink. With 2-3 launches pert week, the Cape really has turned into a "Spaceport". The crowds are rarely around watching launches which you can view from anywhere in central FL. We were set up for Starliner, but who knows when ??
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#30
by
catdlr
on 25 May, 2024 02:26
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#31
by
zubenelgenubi
on 25 May, 2024 05:01
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#32
by
zubenelgenubi
on 25 May, 2024 05:05
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#33
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 26 May, 2024 05:59
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https://twitter.com/theeasternrange/status/1794568027750400481 Our contributors in Austin, TX spotted Starlink Group 6-63 this evening. These 23 Starlink satellites lifted off from historic LC-39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Thursday May 23rd at 10:45pm. @SpaceX @Starlink
#SpaceX #starlink #space #satellite #earth #austin #texas #elonmusk
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#34
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 27 May, 2024 03:35
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https://twitter.com/theeasternrange/status/1794907828626567529Starlink 6-63 spotted this even over NE Florida. These 23 Starlink satellites lifted off from historic LC-39 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Thursday May 23rd at 10:45pm. @SpaceX @Starlink
#SpaceX #starlink #space #satellite #earth #florida #spacecoast #elonmusk
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#35
by
realnouns
on 27 May, 2024 11:47
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Bob + JRTI + B1077 returned to PC on May 27 @ 12:05am ET
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#36
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 28 May, 2024 03:31
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https://twitter.com/_mgde_/status/1795229642573361439Double trouble - Falcon 9 first stages B1080.8 (left) and B1077.13 (right) chilling in Port Canaveral. Recovery ops are ongoing!
What’s your favorite booster in SpaceX’s Falcon 9 fleet? Mine just so happens to be B1077 😊
📸 - @NASASpaceflight
📺 - nsf.live/spacecoast