SpaceX StarLink launches (update thread)

[DocM]

"SpaceX is targeting Saturday, September 24 for a Falcon 9 launch of 52 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 7:32 p.m. ET (23:32 UTC), and a backup opportunity is available on Sunday, September 25 at 7:10 p.m. ET (23:10 UTC).

The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched SES-22 and two 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.

You can watch the live launch webcast starting about 5 minutes before liftoff."

https://youtu.be/VVu2bSJJhgI

 

[DocM]

This Starlink launch snuck in under the radar, going uphill 7 hours after Crew 5

 

 

 

[DocM]

Another Starlink launch coming up in a few minutes

https://youtu.be/iYtH2khNIgU

 

[DocM]

Likely Starlink Gen 2 

An order of magnitude more bandwidth, much larger satellites, more capabilities. Two different form factors; one for Falcon 9, and one four Starship.

 

[DocM]

Starlink 5-1webcast, the first Gen2 launch

 

[DocM]

The previous Falcon 9 mass to LEO record was 16.7 metric tons, another flock of Starlinks.

 

 

[DocM]

Starlink 5-3

Payload: 53 Starlink v1.5

Date: February 2, 2023

Time: 0258 Eastern (0758 UT)

Pad: LC-39A

Booster: 1069.5 

Recovery:  A Shortfall of Gravitas

 

Edited February 2, 2023 by DocM

[DocM]

Starlink Gen 2 Mini takes a selfie.

Gen 2 has 4x the throughput and uses E band for ground stations. They'll also use Argon Hall Effect ion thrusters vs their previous Krypton thrusters. A first.

Gen 2 Mini can launch on Falcon 9, with the larger full Gen 2s launching on Starship.

Gen 2 full will have 5G antennas for remote & black-zone phone service, larger solar arrays and other enhancements. 

 

[DocM]

Sterling to cell phone service tests coming up

 

 

[DocM]

If successful, this will be Falcon 9's 200th straight success

Starlink 2-10

52 Starlink 1.5's

Date: May 30, 2023

Time: 2002 Eastern, 2302 Pacific (May 31 0602 UT) 

Booster: B1063. 13*

Pad: SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB

Recovery: Of Course I Still Love You

* Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3, and four Starlink missions.

 

 

[DocM]

Payload: 22 Gen2 Minis, likely with 5G Satellite to Device antennas, aka SCS (Satellite Coverage from Space)

Date: June 4, 2023

Time: 0556 Eastern (0956 UT)

Pad: SLC-40

Booster: 1078.3

Recovery: Just Read the Instructions
Inclination: 43°

 

 

 

[DocM]

1529 Eastern

SpaceX is targeting Friday, July 7 at 12:29 p.m. PT (19:29 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 48 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Saturday, July 8 at 12:06 p.m. PT (19:06 UTC).

This is the 12th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, Transporter-7, Iridium OneWeb, and seven 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.

 

 

[DocM]

Starlink routers are getting Wi-Fi 6,