SpaceX F9 : Starlink group 15-9 : VSFB SLC-4E : 16/17 June 2025 (03:36 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Thread for the Starlink Group 15-9 launch.

Launch 17 June 2025, at 03:36:50 UTC (16 June 8:36 pm PDT), from Vandenberg SLC-4E, on booster 1093-3. The first stage successfully landed aboard Of Course I Still Love You.

Payload 26 Starlink V2.0 Mini satellites, to a 70.01 degree inclination orbit on a southeastern trajectory.  Initial orbit 265 x 278 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

[zubenelgenubi]

Near-term SLC-4E schedule, UTC date:

Starlink 11-18    May 31  OCISLY  ✅️

Starlink 11-22    Jun 4     OCISLY

Starlink 15-8      Jun 8     OCISLY

Starlink 15-6      Jun 13   OCISLY

Transporter-14  Jun 21    LZ-4


Next Starlink launch as early as ~June 17, before Transporter-14?

Don't forget: NROL-48 is also pending, NET June.

Edit June 6: It's Starlink 15-9.

[GewoonLukas_]

Starlink Group 15-9 has appeared on https://www.cadenaois.org/vpublic_anspdetail.jsp?view=15 with launch NET June 17th at 00:51 UTC:

Primary Launch Day 17 JUN 0051Z -0514Z
Backup Launch Day (1) 18 JUN 0037Z -0500Z
Backup Launch Day (2) 19 JUN 0023Z -0446Z
Backup Launch Day (3) 20 JUN 0009Z -0432Z
Backup Launch Day (4) 20 JUN 2355Z -0418Z
Backup Launch Day (5) 21 JUN 2341Z -0404Z
Backup Launch Day (6) 22 JUN 2327Z -0350Z

[randomname]

NGA rocket launching notice for this launch.

120926Z JUN 25
NAVAREA XII 352/25(18,21).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
CALIFORNIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   170051Z TO 170519Z JUN, ALTERNATE
   180037Z TO 180505Z, 190023Z TO 190451Z,
   200009Z TO 200437Z, 202355Z TO 210423Z,
   212341Z TO 220409Z, AND
   222327Z TO 230355Z JUN IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 32-50.00N 119-08.00W, 32-39.00N 119-11.00W,
      34-35.00N 120-39.00W, 34-40.00N 120-38.00W,
      34-27.00N 120-15.00W.
   B. 29-04.00N 117-27.00W, 29-24.00N 117-48.00W,
      30-25.00N 117-56.00W, 29-44.00N 117-03.00W,
      29-15.00N 116-59.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 230455Z JUN 25.//

120916Z JUN 25
HYDROPAC 1523/25(22,83).
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 06, DNC 07.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   170238Z TO 170716Z, 180224Z TO 180702Z,
   190210Z TO 190648Z, 200156Z TO 200634Z,
   210142Z TO 210620Z, 220128Z TO 220606Z
   AND 230114Z TO 230552Z JUN
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   59-58.00S 099-05.00W, 59-09.00S 095-34.00W,
   27-09.00S 120-43.00W, 27-59.00S 122-44.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 230652Z JUN 25.//

[catdlr]

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

SpaceX direct live broadcast on Twitter:  NOT AVAILABLE at post time (will update later when available)

SpaceX Re-broadcast alternatives on YouTube: 
Space Affairs:  https://youtube.com/watch?v=Jzzz4o-UAcE

There is no planned NSF Live coverage, alternate Pre-Launch Coverage:   NOT AVAILABLE, see here for link when made available:  https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceflightNowVideo/streams

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

Launch Ground Video (from local resident in Santa Barbara - I'll post if available)

Fleet Booster Number:  https://twitter.com/BoosterSpX

[zubenelgenubi]

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

I note B1063, B1071, and B1088 were used for eight of the ten previous NRO Future Proliferated Architecture launches. 📝

Available first stages, with UTC date of most recent recovery:
1081.15  May 10   Starlink 15-6
1093.3    May 16
1075.19  May 23
1082.14  May 27
1071.26  May 31

Edit June 16: It's B1093.3.


https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/
Supplemental GP Element Sets
Current as of 2025 Jun 16 14:46:56 UTC (Day 167)

Starlink G15-9 Pre-Launch   
Derived from a pre-launch Starlink-G15-9 state vector, provided by SpaceX. SupGP data is provided for the entire stack, as well as one for a single satellite.

Launch: 2025-06-17 03:36:50 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-06-17 04:38:19.920 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-06-17 03:36:50 UTC to 2025-06-17 03:36:59 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #1   
Launch: 2025-06-17 03:40:40 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-06-17 04:42:09.920 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-06-17 03:40:40 UTC to 2025-06-17 03:45:29 UTC.

Backup Launch Opportunity #2   
Launch: 2025-06-17 03:45:30 UTC.
Deploy: 2025-06-17 04:46:59.920 UTC.
Launch window: 2025-06-17 03:45:30 UTC to 2025-06-17 04:07:19 UTC.

And https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/table.php?FILE=starlink-g15-9&FORMAT=tle
Pre-Launch Derived Orbit: 265 km x 278 km x 70.01 deg

[GewoonLukas_]

Booster B1093-3

SpaceX is targeting Monday, June 16 for a Falcon 9 launch of 26 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 8:36 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 9:07 p.m. PT. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Tuesday, June 17 starting at 5:37 p.m. PT.

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 will be the third flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched two 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.

There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-15-9

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

[catdlr]

Updated with SpaceX link (thanks GewoonLukas_) and Spaceflight now Link:


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

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

SpaceX Re-broadcast alternatives on YouTube: 
Space Affairs:  https://youtube.com/watch?v=Jzzz4o-UAcE

There is no planned NSF Live coverage. Alternate Pre-Launch Coverage:   https://youtube.com/watch?v=zhfpL83NbkU

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

Launch Ground Video (from local resident in Santa Barbara - I'll post if available)

Fleet Booster Number:  https://twitter.com/BoosterSpX

[Steven Pietrobon]

PDF of online press kit.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/AJamesMcCarthy/status/1934783659221110828

PSA for Southwestern United States:

Tonight at 8:36pm PDT a Falcon 9 rocket will launch southeast from Vandenberg SFB. Due to the timing of the launch, the plume will be in sunlight after the sun sets, allowing for a beautiful spectacle in the sky.

Keep an eye out!

[catdlr]

A couple of minutes till launch

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/Dillonshrop06/status/1934707144240005239

ALERT🚨 A rare event will occur tonight, visible to much of SW USA and NW Mexico!

A 'Twilight Effect' is possible with tonight's launch of SpaceX Starlink Mission 15-9!

Current T-0 is set for 8:36 p.m. PT (0336 UTC)

You won't want to miss this event! Below is an interactive event map to see if you are eligible to witness this event:
http://bit.ly/45JI59x

[catdlr]

T-1min

[catdlr]

LD go for launch

[catdlr]

Launch

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1934817792928223472

[catdlr]

Power and telemetray nominal and supersonic

[catdlr]

Max-Q

[catdlr]

Stage sep and Faring jet.

[catdlr]

Faring

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1934818691276743023

LAUNCH at 0336 UTC Jun 17 of Starlink Group 15-9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base to 70 deg orbit.
8:41 PM · Jun 16, 2025