SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 8-8 : VSFB SLC-4E : 8 June 2024 (12:58 UTC)

SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 8-8 : VSFB SLC-4E : 8 June 2024 (12:58 UTC) by Galactic Penguin SST on 31 May, 2024 00:40
Thread for the Starlink Group 8-8 launch.

Launch 8 June 2024 at 12:58:00 UTC (5:58 am PDT), from Vandenberg SLC-4E, on booster 1061-21. The first stage will land aboard Of Course I Still Love You.

Payload 20 Starlink V2.0 Mini satellites, 13 of which are Direct-to-Cell, to a 53 degree inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory. Initial orbit 281 x 290 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
#1 by Galactic Penguin SST on 31 May, 2024 00:42
A1810/24 NOTAMN Q) SCIZ/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/2310S09711W715 A) SCIZ B) 2406050651 C) 2406110859 D) JUN 05 BTN 0651-1119 / JUN 06 BTN 0628-1056 / JUN 07 BTN 0604-1032 JUN 08 BTN 0541-1009 / JUN 09 BTN 0518-0946 / JUN 10 BTN 0455-0923 / JUN 11 BTN 0431-0859 E) ZONE ...D... SECT WEST PACIFIC DUE TO RE-ENTRY FALCON 9 STARLINK 8- 8 STAGE 2 REENTRY ACTIVITY. THE AREA IS BOUNDED BY GEO COORD: 1500S 10724W 1500S 10441W 3122S 09024W 3420S 09024W 1500S 10724W INSTRUCTIONS: SANTIAGO OCEANIC CONTROL 10024 KHZ FANS 1A EQUIPPED ACFT LOG ON SCEZ INFO PROVIDED BY SPACE X OPS, USA F) SFC G) UNL

This is the same 2nd stage re-entry zone as with the Group 8-7 launch so expect similar payload of Direct-To-Cell capability satellites.
#2 by Ken the Bin on 31 May, 2024 02:21

NGA Space Debris notice that is a effectively a Rocket Launching notice.

The four hours and 31 minutes hazard period implies a four-hour launch window of 05:12-09:12 UTC.

Quote from: NGA

310037Z MAY 24
NAVAREA XII 390/24(18,21).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
CALIFORNIA
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   050512Z TO 050943Z JUN, ALTERNATE
   060449Z TO 060920Z, 070425Z TO 070856Z,
   080402Z TO 080833Z, 090339Z TO 090810Z,
   100316Z TO 100747Z, AND 110252Z TO 110723Z JUN
   IN AREAS BOUND BY
   A. 30-04.00N 116-28.00W, 30-34.00N 117-10.00W,
      30-41.00N 117-23.00W, 30-35.00N 117-23.00W,
      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.
   B. 33-59.00N 119-56.00W, 34-39.00N 120-26.00W,
      34-40.00N 120-39.00W, 34-34.00N 120-39.00W,
      34-18.00N 120-27.00W, 32-42.00N 119-06.00W,
      32-19.00N 118-43.00W, 32-21.00N 118-40.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 110823Z JUN 24.

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

Quote from: NGA

302300Z MAY 24
HYDROPAC 1873/24(22).
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 06, DNC 07.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   050512Z TO 050943Z JUN, ALTERNATE
   060449Z TO 060920Z, 070425Z TO 070856Z,
   080402Z TO 080833Z, 090339Z TO 090810Z,
   100316Z TO 100747Z, AND 110252Z TO 110723Z JUN
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   00-10.00S 115-17.00W, 01-19.00S 116-54.00W,
   34-20.00S 090-24.00W, 31-22.00S 090-24.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 110959Z JUN 24.

Quote from: NGA

302300Z MAY 24
NAVAREA XII 389/24.
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 06, DNC 07.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   050512Z TO 050943Z JUN, ALTERNATE
   060449Z TO 060920Z, 070425Z TO 070856Z,
   080402Z TO 080833Z, 090339Z TO 090810Z,
   100316Z TO 100747Z, AND 110252Z TO 110723Z JUN
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   00-10.00S 115-17.00W, 01-19.00S 116-54.00W,
   34-20.00S 090-24.00W, 31-22.00S 090-24.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 110959Z JUN 24.

#3 by OneSpeed on 31 May, 2024 08:06
Quote from: Ken the Bin on 31 May, 2024 02:21
NGA Space Debris notice that is a effectively a Rocket Launching notice.

Maps from the NGA notices. ASDS 642km downrange.
#4 by zubenelgenubi on 03 Jun, 2024 05:00
A quick note that Starlink 8-3 has been skipped over again. ❓️

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:
1075.11 Mar 19
1061.21 May 2
1082.5 May 10
1063.19 May 14

Edit June 8 UTC: It's B1061.21, skipping over B1075.11 yet again.
#5 by ApolloLee on 03 Jun, 2024 21:42
Doesn't sound like a very visible launch beyond California?
#6 by Ken the Bin on 03 Jun, 2024 23:17

Postponed to June 8 per this cancel-and-replace NGA Space Debris notice that is effectively a Rocket Launching notice.

For the days that are in both notices, they are several hours later in the new notice.

Quote from: NGA

032226Z JUN 24
NAVAREA XII 398/24(21).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
MEXICO.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   081000Z TO 081431Z JUN, ALTERNATE 
   090900Z TO 091331Z, 100859Z TO 101330Z,
   110836Z TO 111307Z, 120812Z TO 121243Z,
   130749Z TO 131220Z AND 140726Z TO 141157Z JUN.
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   30-04.00N 116-28.00W, 29-42.00N 116-06.00W,
   29-18.00N 115-56.00W, 28-58.00N 116-22.00W,
   29-12.00N 116-48.00W, 29-32.00N 117-06.00W,
   30-35.00N 117-24.00W, 30-41.00N 117-23.00W,
   30-34.00N 117-10.00W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA XII 390/24.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 141257Z JUN 24.

Edit: Added these cancel-and-replace NGA Space Debris notices (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas) that came in while I was posting.

Quote from: NGA

032250Z JUN 24
HYDROPAC 1921/24(22).
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 06, DNC 07.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   081139Z TO 081607Z JUN, ALTERNATE 
   091039Z TO 091507Z, 101038Z TO 101506Z,
   111015Z TO 111443Z, 120951Z TO 121419Z,
   130928Z TO 131356Z AND 140905Z TO 141333Z JUN
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   34-20.00S 090-24.00W, 31-22.00S 090-24.00W,
   00-10.00S 115-17.00W, 01-19.00S 116-54.00W.
2. CANCEL HYDROPAC 1873/24.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 141433Z JUN 24.

Quote from: NGA

032250Z JUN 24
NAVAREA XII 399/24(22).
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   081139Z TO 081607Z JUN, ALTERNATE 
   091039Z TO 091507Z, 101038Z TO 101506Z,
   111015Z TO 111443Z, 120951Z TO 121419Z,
   130928Z TO 131356Z AND 140905Z TO 141333Z JUN
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   34-20.00S 090-24.00W, 31-22.00S 090-24.00W,
   00-10.00S 115-17.00W, 01-19.00S 116-54.00W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA XII 389/24.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 141433Z JUN 24.

#7 by Galactic Penguin SST on 04 Jun, 2024 00:58

Quote from: Ken the Bin on 03 Jun, 2024 23:17

Quote from: NGA

032226Z JUN 24
NAVAREA XII 398/24(21).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
MEXICO.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   081000Z TO 081431Z JUN, ALTERNATE 
   090900Z TO 091331Z, 100859Z TO 101330Z,
   110836Z TO 111307Z, 120812Z TO 121243Z,
   130749Z TO 131220Z AND 140726Z TO 141157Z JUN.
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   30-04.00N 116-28.00W, 29-42.00N 116-06.00W,
   29-18.00N 115-56.00W, 28-58.00N 116-22.00W,
   29-12.00N 116-48.00W, 29-32.00N 117-06.00W,
   30-35.00N 117-24.00W, 30-41.00N 117-23.00W,
   30-34.00N 117-10.00W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA XII 390/24.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 141257Z JUN 24.

Edit: Added these cancel-and-replace NGA Space Debris notices (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas) that came in while I was posting.

Quote from: NGA

032250Z JUN 24
HYDROPAC 1921/24(22).
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 06, DNC 07.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   081139Z TO 081607Z JUN, ALTERNATE 
   091039Z TO 091507Z, 101038Z TO 101506Z,
   111015Z TO 111443Z, 120951Z TO 121419Z,
   130928Z TO 131356Z AND 140905Z TO 141333Z JUN
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   34-20.00S 090-24.00W, 31-22.00S 090-24.00W,
   00-10.00S 115-17.00W, 01-19.00S 116-54.00W.
2. CANCEL HYDROPAC 1873/24.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 141433Z JUN 24.

Quote from: NGA

032250Z JUN 24
NAVAREA XII 399/24(22).
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   081139Z TO 081607Z JUN, ALTERNATE 
   091039Z TO 091507Z, 101038Z TO 101506Z,
   111015Z TO 111443Z, 120951Z TO 121419Z,
   130928Z TO 131356Z AND 140905Z TO 141333Z JUN
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   34-20.00S 090-24.00W, 31-22.00S 090-24.00W,
   00-10.00S 115-17.00W, 01-19.00S 116-54.00W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA XII 389/24.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 141433Z JUN 24.

Same slip reported on the air space closure side:

R0126/24 NOTAMN Q) SCIZ/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/4100S11910W715 A) SCIZ B) 2406081139 C) 2406141333 D) 08 JUN 1139-1607,09 JUN 1039-1507,10 JUN 1038-1506,11 JUN 1015-1443 ,12 JUN 0951-1419,13 JUN 0928-1356,14 JUN 0905-1333 E) ZONE ...D... SECT WEST PACIFIC DUE TO RE-ENTRY FALCON 9 STARLINK 8- 8 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

#8 by Ken the Bin on 04 Jun, 2024 01:06

Already a new cancel-and-replace NGA Space Debris notice that is effectively a Rocket Launching notice.

No change to the schedule, but a change to the coordinates.

Quote from: NGA

040017Z JUN 24
NAVAREA XII 400/24(21).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
MEXICO.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   081000Z TO 081431Z JUN, ALTERNATE 
   090900Z TO 091331Z, 100859Z TO 101330Z,
   110836Z TO 111307Z, 120812Z TO 121243Z,
   130749Z TO 131220Z AND 140726Z TO 141157Z JUN.
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   30-04.00N 116-28.00W, 29-42.00N 116-06.00W,
   29-18.00N 115-56.00W, 28-58.00N 116-22.00W,
   29-12.00N 116-48.00W, 29-32.00N 117-06.00W,
   30-35.00N 117-24.00W, 30-41.00N 117-23.00W,
   30-41.00N 117-21.00W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA XII 398/24.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 141257Z JUN 24.

#9 by OneSpeed on 04 Jun, 2024 06:15
Quote from: Ken the Bin on 04 Jun, 2024 01:06
Already a new cancel-and-replace NGA Space Debris notice that is effectively a Rocket Launching notice.

No change to the schedule, but a change to the coordinates.

Old area in orange, new area in yellow.
The differences are so minor, it is hard to imagine what prompted the change.
#10 by realnouns on 06 Jun, 2024 16:40
Lindsay C + OCISLY departed PoLB on Jun 6 @ 9:33am PT / 12:33pm ET
#11 by realnouns on 06 Jun, 2024 22:33
Go Beyond departed PoLB on Jun 6 @ 11:30am PT / 2:30pm ET
#12 by Martin_G on 07 Jun, 2024 12:56
https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jsp:

Quote
SPACEX STARLINK 8-8, VANDENBURG, CA
PRIMARY: 06/08/24 1000Z-1431Z
BACKUP: 06/09/24 0900Z-1331Z
#13 by rsmath on 07 Jun, 2024 13:49
Quote from: ApolloLee on 03 Jun, 2024 21:42
Doesn't sound like a very visible launch beyond California?

Maybe if it launches on an opportunity a hour later so it gets sunlit up high while the sky is not too bright yet outside of California.
#14 by Ken the Bin on 07 Jun, 2024 21:03
Primary launch opportunity is 2024-06-08 10:54:00 UTC per CelesTrak.

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1799158552038351267

Quote from: T.S.Kelso
CelesTrak has pre-launch SupGP data for the @Starlink Group 8-8 launch from Vandenberg SFB on 2024-06-08 at 10:54:00 UTC: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g8-8. Deployment of 20 satellites at 11:55:14.380 UTC. Data for 2 backup launch opportunities also provided: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/.

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

Launch: 2024-06-08 10:54:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-06-08 11:55:14.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-06-08 12:52:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-06-08 13:53:14.380 UTC.
Launch: 2024-06-08 12:58:00 UTC. Deploy: 2024-06-08 13:59:14.380 UTC.
#15 by Ron Lee on 08 Jun, 2024 03:33
Quote
SpaceX is targeting Saturday, June 8 for a Falcon 9 launch of 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Station in California. Liftoff is targeted for 5:58 a.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Sunday, June 9 starting at 3:34 a.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 Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3, Korea 425, Maxar1, and nine 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.
Launch at 12:58 UTC
B1061-21

Source: https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-8-8

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1799283700599025882
Quote
Up next, Falcon 9 is targeted to launch 20 @Starlink satellites to orbit from California in ~9.5 hours → http://spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-8-8

[edit: zubenelgenubi]
#16 by ZachS09 on 08 Jun, 2024 04:05
Quote from: Ron Lee on 08 Jun, 2024 03:33
SpaceX is targeting Saturday, June 8 for a Falcon 9 launch of 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Station in California. Liftoff is targeted for 5:58 a.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Sunday, June 9 starting at 3:34 a.m. ET.

Source: https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-8-8

Already the end of the window with it being more than seven hours before the first opportunity? That's way too early to call for a slip, let alone target the last opportunity. At least keep targeting the first opportunity until the T-38 minute point, which is where the team is polled for launch autosequence (prop load). It makes sense to delay the launch at that point in the count if they need to fix an LV or ground issue, wait out bad weather, or simply double-check everything.
#17 by Steven Pietrobon on 08 Jun, 2024 09:54
PDF of online press kit. Unfortunately, I get an error message when I tried to access the link for the X livestream.

Starlink Group 8-8.pdf
#18 by Galactic Penguin SST on 08 Jun, 2024 10:33
Quote from: Steven Pietrobon on 08 Jun, 2024 09:54
PDF of online press kit. Unfortunately, I get an error message when I tried to access the link for the X livestream.
It's https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1gqGvQlXBbkKB.
#19 by scr00chy on 08 Jun, 2024 12:47
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1799416928362168814
#20 by JayWee on 08 Jun, 2024 12:56
Weather looking good, they said.
#21 by catdlr on 08 Jun, 2024 13:03
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1799425961873887298
#22 by catdlr on 08 Jun, 2024 13:09
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1799427937617453482

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1799428193994297626
#23 by catdlr on 08 Jun, 2024 13:15
Summary time-laps video:
#24 by catdlr on 08 Jun, 2024 13:18
Full Coverage Broadcast Replay in HD from our friends at The Space Devs:
#25 by FutureSpaceTourist on 08 Jun, 2024 14:03
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1799441895598526745

Quote
Deployment 20 @Starlink satellites confirmed
#26 by shiro on 08 Jun, 2024 14:19
Some reusability stats for this launch (Starlink Group 8-8):

Booster B1061.21 turnaround time:
36 days 18 hours 22 minutes
(its previous mission was WorldView Legion Flight 1 on May 2, 2024 UTC).

FYI: median turnaround time for Falcon 9 / Heavy boosters is currently 34.78 days *
* – based on the last 30 launches, excluding new first stages.

Launchpad SLC-4E turnaround time:
10 days 14 hours 38 minutes
(the previous launch from this pad was EarthCARE on May 28, 2024 UTC).

FYI: median turnaround time for SLC-4E is currently 9.63 days *
* – based on the last 30 launches.

The same type of stats for previous SpaceX launches may be found on this spreadsheet online.
#27 by realnouns on 09 Jun, 2024 20:13
Go Beyond returned to PoLB on Jun 9 @ 10:47am PT / 1:47pm ET
#28 by realnouns on 09 Jun, 2024 20:24
Lindsay C + OCISLY + B1061 returned to PoLB on Jun 9 @ 1:22pm PT / 4:22pm ET
#29 by FutureSpaceTourist on 09 Jun, 2024 22:11
https://twitter.com/spaceoffshore/status/1799920411666472962

Quote
Falcon 9 B1061 - freshly back from Starlink 8-8 - greets (probably) B1071 from NROL-146 at the Port of Long Beach.