SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 6-74 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 24/25 April 2025 (01:52 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Thread for the Starlink Group 6-74 launch.

Launch 25 April 2025, at 01:52:40 UTC (24 April 9:52 pm EDT), from CCSFS SLC-40, on booster 1069-23.  The first stage successfully landed aboard A Shortfall of Gravitas.

Payload 28 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites, to a 42.99 degree inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit 271 x 281 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]

My bolds:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated March 19:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch NROL-69 for the National Reconnaissance Office from pad 40 on March 24 around 1:48 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on late March. A Falcon 9 will launch the Fram2 spaceflight participant mission, the first ever human mission to polar orbit, from pad 39A on March 31 at 11 p.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the Bandwagon-3 rideshare mission from pad 40 on mid-April TBD. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-32 resupply mission to the ISS from pad 39A on April 21 around 4 a.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch.

The Starlink 12-17, then Cargo Dragon SpX-32 launch campaigns, will occupy LC-39A in early and mid April.  That leaves only SLC-40 available for another NET mid April Florida Starlink launch.

Starlink 6-73 has appeared at SLC-40 on April 14 UTC.

Bandwagon-3 will launch from SLC-40 in late April.

Starlink 12-10 is still pending.

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated April 7:

FALCON 9

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on April 10 at 9:43 p.m. - 1:43 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 13 at 9:59 p.m. - 1:59 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 16 around 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-32 resupply mission to the ISS from pad 39A on April 21 at 4:15 a.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the Bandwagon-3 rideshare mission from pad 40 on late April. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the Axiom-4 spaceflight participant mission to the International Space Station on late May, around 1 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the next GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force from pad 40 on late May.

VULCAN & ATLAS V

The next United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch the first batch of satellites for the Amazon Kuiper constellation on April 9 at 7:00-9:00 p.m EDT.

From the wording, generally in chronological order, it appears that there are no more Starlink launches from SLC-40 after this, as yet unnamed, Starlink launch, and before Bandwagon-3.

Edited

[zubenelgenubi]

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated April 7:

A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 16 around 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. EDT.

As yet unnamed Starlink launching 17 April ~02:00 to 06:00 UTC.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Launch has appeared on CADENA OIS as Group 6-74:

Primary Launch Day 17 Apr 0224Z-0655Z Backup Launch Day (1) 18 Apr 0158Z-0629Z Backup Launch Day (2) 19 Apr 0132Z-0603Z Backup Launch Day (3) 20 Apr 0106Z-0537Z Backup Launch Day (4) 21 Apr 0040Z-0511Z Backup Launch Day (5) 22 Apr 0014Z-0045Z Backup Launch Day (6) 22 Apr 2348Z-0419Z

[zubenelgenubi]

Falcon 9 first stages are now cleared for use up to forty times for non-crewed launches, although that number is apparently more restricted for Cargo Dragon or Cygnus than these other payloads.

Available first stages, with UTC date of most recent recovery:
1072.2    Jun 25   ?
1067.27  Feb 15   Starlink 6-73
1076.22  Feb 21
1083.10  Feb 27   Starlink 12-17
1069.23  Mar 13
1090.3    Mar 14   Bandwagon-3
1077.20  Mar 18
1092.3    Mar 24   SpX-32
1080.18  Mar 31
1085.7    Apr 1
1078.20  Apr 6

Edit April 23: It's B1069.23, skipping B1072.2 and B1076.22.

Edited

[zubenelgenubi]

One day delay for Starlink 12-17 may delay this launch by one day, as this launch will likely also use A Shortfall of Gravitas.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-12-17

SpaceX is targeting Friday, April 11 for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 9:15 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 1:12 a.m. ET on Saturday, April 12.

[GewoonLukas_]

Delayed to NET April 25th at ~01:32 UTC per this NOTAM:

A1541/25 NOTAMN
Q) FAJO/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/5152S01651E999
A) FAJO B) 2504250329 C) 2505010559
D) 25 APR 0329-0836, 26 APR 0303-0810, 27 APR 0237-0744, 28 APR
0211-0718, 29 APR 0144-0651, 30 APR 0118-0625, 01 MAY 0052-0559
E) AREA BOUNDED BY (4256S 00224W, 4045S 00221W, 3210S 05700E, 3515S
05700E): SPACEX STARLINK 6-74 STAGE 2 RE-ENTRY TAKING PLACE.
APPLICABLE AIRSPACE DOWNGRADED TO CLASS G.
F) SFC G) UNL

[zubenelgenubi]

This launch had no specific mention, especially that of launching before SpX-32, starting here.  Also following Bandwagon-3 at SLC-40?

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated April 12, after Starlink 12-17 scrub:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on April 12 at 8:53 p.m. - 12:42 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 13 at 9:59 p.m. - 1:59 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-32 resupply mission to the ISS from pad 39A on April 21 at 4:15 a.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the Bandwagon-3 rideshare mission from pad 40 on late April. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the next GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force from pad 40 on late May. A Falcon 9 will launch the Axiom-4 spaceflight participant mission to the International Space Station from pad 39A on May 29 around 1 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch.

[zubenelgenubi]

Also following Bandwagon-3 at SLC-40?

Yes.

[zubenelgenubi]

My bold:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated April 17:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the CRS-32 resupply mission to the ISS from pad 39A on April 21 at 4:15 a.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the Bandwagon-3 rideshare mission from pad 40 on April 21 at 8:48 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 24 earliest at 9:32 p.m. - 1:32 a.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the next GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force from pad 40 on late May. A Falcon 9 will launch the Axiom-4 spaceflight participant mission to the International Space Station from pad 39A on May 29 around 1 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch.

= 25 April 01:32 to 05:32 UTC


Cross-post:

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

Starlink G6-74 Pre-Launch
Derived from a pre-launch Starlink-G6-74 state vector, provided by SpaceX. SupGP data is provided for the entire stack, as well as one for a single satellite.

Launch: 2025-04-25 01:32:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-04-25 02:37:15.120 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-04-25 01:32:00 UTC to 2025-04-25 05:32:00 UTC.

Edited

[Martin_G]

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

SPACEX STARLINK 6-74, CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL
PRIMARY:   04/25/25   0132Z-0603Z
BACKUP:      04/26/25   0106Z-0537Z

[GewoonLukas_]

Launch NET 01:52:40 UTC
Booster B1069-23

SpaceX is targeting Thursday, April 24 for a Falcon 9 launch of 28 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Launch is targeted for 9:52 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 1:28 a.m. ET on Friday, April 25. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Friday, April 25 starting at 9:55 p.m. ET.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.

This is the 23rd flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 1, SES-18 and SES-19, and 18 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-6-74

Twitter/X Webcast: https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1vOxwXRZMdVKB

Launch: 2025-04-25 01:52:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-04-25 02:57:55.120 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-04-25 01:52:40 UTC to 2025-04-25 01:54:09 UTC.

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

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

Starlink G6-74 Pre-Launch
Derived from a pre-launch Starlink-G6-74 state vector, provided by SpaceX. SupGP data is provided for the entire stack, as well as one for a single satellite.

Launch: 2025-04-25 01:52:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-04-25 02:57:55.120 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-04-25 01:52:40 UTC to 2025-04-25 01:54:09 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #1
Launch: 2025-04-25 02:03:10 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-04-25 03:08:25.120 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-04-25 02:03:10 UTC to 2025-04-25 02:03:39 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #2
Launch: 2025-04-25 02:03:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-04-25 03:08:55.120 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-04-25 02:03:40 UTC to 2025-04-25 02:04:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #3
Launch: 2025-04-25 02:06:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-04-25 03:11:55.120 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-04-25 02:06:40 UTC to 2025-04-25 02:10:19 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #4
Launch: 2025-04-25 02:23:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-04-25 03:28:15.120 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-04-25 02:23:00 UTC to 2025-04-25 02:27:29 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #5
Launch: 2025-04-25 03:28:00 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-04-25 04:33:15.120 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-04-25 03:28:00 UTC to 2025-04-25 03:29:29 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #6
Launch: 2025-04-25 03:29:30 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-04-25 04:34:45.120 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-04-25 03:29:30 UTC to 2025-04-25 03:31:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #7
Launch: 2025-04-25 03:43:50 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-04-25 04:49:05.120 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-04-25 03:43:50 UTC to 2025-04-25 03:49:29 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #8
Launch: 2025-04-25 05:02:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-04-25 06:07:55.120 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-04-25 05:02:40 UTC to 2025-04-25 05:08:49 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #9
Launch: 2025-04-25 05:21:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-04-25 06:26:55.120 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-04-25 05:21:40 UTC to 2025-04-25 05:23:39 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #10
Launch: 2025-04-25 05:23:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-04-25 06:28:55.120 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-04-25 05:23:40 UTC to 2025-04-25 05:28:59 UTC.

Edited

[Steven Pietrobon]

PDF of online press kit.

[catdlr]

Here is a consolidated post of available video links for this launch:

SpaceX direct live broadcast on Twitter:  https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1vOxwXRZMdVKB

SpaceX Re-broadcast alternatives on YouTube: 
Space Affairs:  https://youtube.com/watch?v=oq2DvxHvQiE

Replay supplied by The Space Devs (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

NSF Live Coverage:  https://youtube.com/watch?v=BQVCKbDTKr8

Post Launch Extras:

CelesTrak has ephemeris-based SupGP data: https://x.com/TSKelso
Max-Qproductions by Pete Carstens: https://www.youtube.com/@maxqproductions1

[catdlr]

Liftoff

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1915584991251095728

[catdlr]

Max-Q

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1915584881653846411

[catdlr]

Meco, stage sep and faring

[catdlr]

Entry Burn

[catdlr]

Landing Burn

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1915587209199051045