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Link Posted: 7/29/2023 12:18:15 AM EDT
[#1]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History


@Chokey

A truly awesome picture. Thanks for taking the effort. I'll send it to my kiddo.
Link Posted: 7/29/2023 1:11:44 AM EDT
[#2]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Flysc:
@Chokey

A truly awesome picture. Thanks for taking the effort. I'll send it to my kiddo.
View Quote


Did they see the entry burns, landing burns and hear the sonic booms?
Link Posted: 7/29/2023 8:18:20 AM EDT
[#3]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Jack_Of_Some_Trades:


it doesn't make it to space.  it will splash down into the ocean down range.  the issue is that they don't have enough fuel left after separating from stage 2 to be able to a controlled and powered descent to the landing barge.
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Originally Posted By Jack_Of_Some_Trades:


it doesn't make it to space.  it will splash down into the ocean down range.  the issue is that they don't have enough fuel left after separating from stage 2 to be able to a controlled and powered descent to the landing barge.


Yeah, i looked it up.  The fuel required to do a recovery burn limits the gross max weight of the payload.

Trowing the Center Core away gives lots of additional power. To cite Wikipedia (probably old Numbers, but will give you an idea for the size of the gains):

"When recovering all three booster cores, GTO payload is 8 t (18,000 lb).[1] If only the two outside cores are recovered while the center core is expended, GTO payload would be approximately 16 t (35,000 lb).[69]"

So they double the payload by trowing away just the center booster.

If they go fully expandable, they can even bring 27t to GTO, but the only Missions that need that kind of performance are Europa Clipper (6t to Jupiter, barely within a fully expandable FH capabilities) and likely Gateway (>20t to the Moon, sure the Gateway propulsion module could take some of that work, but my guess is NASA will rather pay those $50M extra to save its fuel for lunar maneuvers).
Link Posted: 7/29/2023 10:27:37 AM EDT
[#4]
Link Posted: 7/29/2023 2:27:46 PM EDT
[#5]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Blu3Ridge:


Yeah, i looked it up.  The fuel required to do a recovery burn limits the gross max weight of the payload.

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Originally Posted By Blu3Ridge:
Originally Posted By Jack_Of_Some_Trades:


it doesn't make it to space.  it will splash down into the ocean down range.  the issue is that they don't have enough fuel left after separating from stage 2 to be able to a controlled and powered descent to the landing barge.


Yeah, i looked it up.  The fuel required to do a recovery burn limits the gross max weight of the payload.

Trowing the Center Core away gives lots of additional power. To cite Wikipedia (probably old Numbers, but will give you an idea for the size of the gains):

"When recovering all three booster cores, GTO payload is 8 t (18,000 lb).[1] If only the two outside cores are recovered while the center core is expended, GTO payload would be approximately 16 t (35,000 lb).[69]"

So they double the payload by trowing away just the center booster.

If they go fully expandable, they can even bring 27t to GTO, but the only Missions that need that kind of performance are Europa Clipper (6t to Jupiter, barely within a fully expandable FH capabilities) and likely Gateway (>20t to the Moon, sure the Gateway propulsion module could take some of that work, but my guess is NASA will rather pay those $50M extra to save its fuel for lunar maneuvers).


FH gets even more complicated when you compare it to a fully-expendable Falcon 9.

Since they only have 2 barges on the east coast, they can't land all 3 stages on the barges. (without buying another or moving OCISLY to the Atlantic)

That means you are limited to RTLS profiles for the side boosters. That dramatically limits how much payload you can toss if you also recover the center core. (And remember, they've never successfully gotten a center core back to Canaveral, even when they've tried)

That limited capability means that the gap between a fully-recoverable FH and a fully-expended Falcon 9 is narrow. And since we've never gotten a center core back, and there are numerous long-serving F9's... well, you're probably going to lose a booster anyway, might as well plan on it. You'll note that there have been a number of F9's flown expendable.

FH's real capabilities are unleashed when at least the center core is expended. That's where it's a beast. Fully recoverable, with RTLS side boosters... It's still a big boy, but it's not huge.
Link Posted: 7/29/2023 2:54:15 PM EDT
[#6]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By ASUsax:


FH gets even more complicated when you compare it to a fully-expendable Falcon 9.

Since they only have 2 barges on the east coast, they can't land all 3 stages on the barges. (without buying another or moving OCISLY to the Atlantic)

That means you are limited to RTLS profiles for the side boosters. That dramatically limits how much payload you can toss if you also recover the center core. (And remember, they've never successfully gotten a center core back to Canaveral, even when they've tried)

That limited capability means that the gap between a fully-recoverable FH and a fully-expended Falcon 9 is narrow. And since we've never gotten a center core back, and there are numerous long-serving F9's... well, you're probably going to lose a booster anyway, might as well plan on it. You'll note that there have been a number of F9's flown expendable.

FH's real capabilities are unleashed when at least the center core is expended. That's where it's a beast. Fully recoverable, with RTLS side boosters... It's still a big boy, but it's not huge.
View Quote

and the market can afford it. SPacex can effectively charge what they want. No one else has any available heavy launch slots.
Link Posted: 7/29/2023 3:43:41 PM EDT
[#7]
Link Posted: 7/29/2023 4:12:27 PM EDT
[Last Edit: CleverNickname] [#8]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By NwG:
Never not be cool
View Quote

Don't take this the wrong way, but I hope that in fact rocket launches and landings become very boring, and people clapping due to the successful landing of a rocket get looked at like the weirdos who clap after the successful landing of the airliner they're riding in.
Link Posted: 7/30/2023 5:26:53 PM EDT
[Last Edit: AmericanPeople] [#9]
Mission:   Falcon 9, Galaxy 37

1)  Mission Description:  "A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Galaxy 37 C-band television broadcasting satellite for Intelsat. The spacecraft was built by Maxar. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean."    SpaceFlightNow source

2)  Launch window:   12:15 - 2:15 AM EDT (3 August 2023).  Launch at 12:45  1:00 AM EDT.

3)  Launch Site:   SLC-40, Cape Canaveral, Florida

4)  Launch direction:  East

5)  Webcast viewing options:

a.   SpaceX webcast (Starts about 15 minutes before liftoff)

b.  YouTube:



6)  Observation comments:    

7)  Launch preparations:

a.  Boats heading out.


Gav Cornwell@SpaceOffshore.   Departure! Just Read the Instructions droneship is underway - towed by Crosby Skipper - for the Galaxy 37 mission



b.  Satellite:   Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com







c.  Ready for launch:  



d.  Navigation warning:


Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

8)  First stage return/ocean recovery/disposal:    Recovery on JRTI

9)  Launch to deployment events/timeline:    

Hours:Minutes:Seconds after lift-off.  Times approximate.  

00:01:14   Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:33   1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:36   1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:44   2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:03:34   Fairing deployment
00:06:23   1st stage entry burn starts
00:06:45   1st stage entry burn ends
00:08:08   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:08:26   1st stage landing burn start
00:08:30   1st stage landing
00:26:33   2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:27:30   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
00:32:31   Galaxy 37/Horizons 4 deploys

10)  Orbit insertion:  Geosynchronous transfer orbit
Link Posted: 7/31/2023 6:54:30 AM EDT
[#10]
AmericanPeople, thanks again for keeping this thread updated.  I watch every launch through this.  
Link Posted: 7/31/2023 12:56:02 PM EDT
[#11]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By kill-9:
AmericanPeople, thanks again for keeping this thread updated.  I watch every launch through this.  
View Quote


My pleasure (Chick Fil A response) but you should note that what makes it better are all the contributions by many others.  I provide the seed...they make it flourish.
Link Posted: 7/31/2023 1:04:55 PM EDT
[#12]
My son and I saw a Starlink chain the other night, while wading around in the pool.  It was neat!
Link Posted: 8/1/2023 11:06:50 PM EDT
[#13]
Any of you guys catch the space station going overhead tonight?  That was cool to see.
Link Posted: 8/3/2023 12:06:04 AM EDT
[Last Edit: AmericanPeople] [#14]
Galaxy 37 launch now at 12:45   1:00 AM EDT
Link Posted: 8/3/2023 12:43:24 AM EDT
[#15]
Webcast is starting.
Link Posted: 8/3/2023 1:05:13 AM EDT
[#16]
Full sized bell on M-vac engine.
Link Posted: 8/3/2023 1:09:45 AM EDT
[#17]
Another happy landing.
Link Posted: 8/3/2023 1:11:55 AM EDT
[#18]
Link Posted: 8/4/2023 7:52:51 PM EDT
[Last Edit: AmericanPeople] [#19]
Mission:   Falcon 9, Starlink 6-8

1)  Mission Description:  "A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch another batch of Starlink V2 Mini internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean."    SpaceFlightNow source

2)  Launch window:   10:41 PM EDT (6 August 2023).    

3)  Launch Site:   SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida

4)  Launch direction:  Southeast

5)  Webcast viewing options:

a.   SpaceX webcast (Starts about 5 minutes before liftoff)

b.  YouTube:



6)  Observation comments:    

7)  Launch preparations:

a.  Boats heading out.


Gav Cornwell@SpaceOffshore.   Departure! ASOG droneship and SpaceX support ship Doug are underway to support Starlink 6-8.

b.  Satellites:

File photo of SpaceX’s Starlink V2 Mini satellites inside a payload processing facility at Cape Canaveral. Image: SpaceX

c.  Ready for launch:  



d.  Navigation warning:



8)  First stage return/ocean recovery/disposal:    Recover on drone ship ASOG.

9)  Launch to deployment events/timeline:    

Hours:Minutes:Seconds after lift-off.  Times approximate.  

00:01:12   Max Q (Moment of Peak Mechanical Stress on the Rocket)
00:02:30   1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:34   1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:41   2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:03:06   Fairing deployment
00:06:12   1st stage entry burn begins
00:06:29   1st stage entry burn ends
00:07:42   1st stage landing burn begins
00:07:56   1st stage landing
00:08:44   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:54:04   2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:54:05   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:05:13   Starlink satellites deploy

10)  Orbit insertion:   299 x 339 kilometers at 43 degree inclination
Link Posted: 8/6/2023 8:15:50 PM EDT
[#20]
Link Posted: 8/6/2023 10:34:45 PM EDT
[#21]
Music started.

Link Posted: 8/6/2023 10:50:20 PM EDT
[#22]
Bullseye.
Link Posted: 8/6/2023 10:52:24 PM EDT
[#23]
Words don’t really describe the weekly cock stamp
SpaceX lays upon the rest of the world..
Link Posted: 8/7/2023 10:39:46 AM EDT
[#24]
Coming three days, 21 hours and 41 minutes since another Falcon 9 lifted Intelsat's heavyweight Galaxy-37 geostationary communications satellite from the same pad, the launch marked another milestone in SpaceX's reusability and turnaround statistics.
Link Posted: 8/7/2023 11:04:15 AM EDT
[#25]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By HeavyMetal:



It makes it to space, it just doesn't make it to orbit.
View Quote
I want video of the center core landing at mach whatever.
Link Posted: 8/7/2023 11:16:48 AM EDT
[#26]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By wwace:
I want video of the center core landing at mach whatever.
View Quote



It should be possible.    Perhaps a longer entry burn or two entry burns.  Or initially just the center engine ignited then add on the two outer engines.  Whatever makes sense.  They can get to the same speed as a normal entry.
Link Posted: 8/7/2023 3:23:05 PM EDT
[Last Edit: AmericanPeople] [#27]
Mission:  Falcon 9, Starlink 6-20

1)  Mission description:  "A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch another batch of Starlink V2 Mini internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean." Source

2)  Launch window:    8:57 PM PDT  (7 August 2023).

3)  Launch site:   SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California

4)  Launch direction:   South southeasterly

5)  Webcast viewing options:

a. SpaceX webcast (Starts about 5 minutes before liftoff)

b.  YouTube:



6)  Observation comments:   None

7)  Launch preparations:

a.  Boats heading out.


Scorpius + OCISLY depart PoLB on August 4 @ 6:15pm PT (9:15pm ET)
Credit:  NASASpaceFlight.com

b.  Satellites:  See previous Starlink discussions.

c.  Ready for launch:


d.  Navigation warning:


Credit:  NASASpaceFlight.com

8)  First stage return/ocean recovery/disposal:    Drone ship OCISLY

9)  Launch to deployment events/timeline:      

Hours:Minutes:Seconds after lift-off.  Times approximate.  

00:01:12   Max Q (Moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:25   1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:29   1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:34   2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:02:40   Fairing deployment
00:07:36   1st stage entry burn begins
00:08:00   1st stage entry burn ends
00:08:43   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:09:09   1st stage landing burn begins
00:09:33   1st stage landing
00:14:36   Starlink satellites deploy

10)  Orbit destination:
Link Posted: 8/7/2023 3:30:10 PM EDT
[Last Edit: California_Kid] [#28]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By AmericanPeople:
Mission:  Falcon 9, Starlink 6-20

1)  Mission description:  "A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch another batch of Starlink V2 Mini internet satellites. The Falcon 9's first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean." Source

2)  Launch window:    8:57 PM PDT  (7 August 2023).

3)  Launch site:   SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California

4)  Launch direction:   South southeasterly

5)  Webcast viewing options:

a. SpaceX webcast (Starts about 5 minutes before liftoff)

b.  YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alkJWrqffcw

6)  Observation comments:    None

7)  Launch preparations:

a.  Boats heading out.

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/59260.0/2204080.jpg
Scorpius + OCISLY depart PoLB on August 4 @ 6:15pm PT (9:15pm ET)
Credit:  NASASpaceFlight.com

b.  Satellites:  See previous Starlink discussions.

c.  Ready for launch:


d.  Navigation warning:

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/59260.0/2204586.jpg
Credit:  NASASpaceFlight.com

8)  First stage return/ocean recovery/disposal:    Drone ship OCISLY

9)  Launch to deployment events/timeline:      

Hours:Minutes:Seconds after lift-off.  Times approximate.  

00:01:12   Max Q (Moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:25   1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:29   1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:34   2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:02:40   Fairing deployment
00:07:36   1st stage entry burn begins
00:08:00   1st stage entry burn ends
00:08:43   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:09:09   1st stage landing burn begins
00:09:33   1st stage landing
00:14:36   Starlink satellites deploy

10)  Orbit destination:
View Quote

I should be in a good spot for some still photos if the sky remains clear in San Diego.

This time I'll use a tripod, not set the ISO to stupid fast, and do some multi-second exposures.  Maybe two cameras.
Link Posted: 8/7/2023 11:49:22 PM EDT
[#29]
Music started.

Link Posted: 8/7/2023 11:49:29 PM EDT
[#30]
Webcast is starting.
Link Posted: 8/8/2023 12:59:41 AM EDT
[#31]
Saw it (barely, not as clear as other times) from Phoenix, AZ.
Link Posted: 8/8/2023 8:48:56 AM EDT
[#32]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Doug_262:
Saw it (barely, not as clear as other times) from Phoenix, AZ.
https://i.imgur.com/FBEFLsy.jpg
View Quote


Excellent.   From the webcast I could see the sun behind the second stage nozzle for roughly three minutes.  Was the second stage plume visible for about that period of time?
Link Posted: 8/8/2023 12:20:10 PM EDT
[#33]
215 successful landings of orbital-class rockets.  
Link Posted: 8/8/2023 1:30:04 PM EDT
[#34]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By kill-9:
215 successful landings of orbital-class rockets.  
View Quote


I saw a report that there have been 40 (?) launches from Florida this year.  All but two were SpaceX.  Obviously that will drop when they have populated the Starlink constellation.
Link Posted: 8/9/2023 8:11:41 AM EDT
[#35]
Link Posted: 8/9/2023 8:52:55 AM EDT
[Last Edit: AmericanPeople] [#36]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Chokey:
View Quote


That may have been a 27 degree elevation pass at 9:36 PM CDT.  The same pass for me was clouded out and the sky was not dark anyway.

I use https://heavens-above.com for predictions.  Be sure to change the location in the upper right.

These can be bright for a few days after launch so if interested run predictions for your location and get out and look.
Link Posted: 8/9/2023 1:48:05 PM EDT
[#37]
Link Posted: 8/9/2023 9:38:12 PM EDT
[Last Edit: AmericanPeople] [#38]
Mission:   Falcon 9, Starlink 6-9

1)  Mission Description:  "A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch another batch of Starlink V2 Mini internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean."    SpaceFlightNow source

2)  Launch window:   1:17 AM EDT (11 August 2023)    

3)  Launch Site:   SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida

4)  Launch direction:  Southeast

5)  Webcast viewing options:

a.   SpaceX webcast (Starts about 5 minutes before liftoff)

b.  YouTube:



6)  Observation comments:    None

7)  Launch preparations:

a.  Boats heading out.


Gav Cornwell@SpaceOffshore.     Nice! Just Read the Instructions droneship is underway from Port Canaveral for Starlink 6-9.

b.  Satellites:

File photo of SpaceX’s Starlink V2 Mini satellites inside a payload processing facility at Cape Canaveral. Image: SpaceX

c.  Ready for launch:


Credit:  SpaceFlightNow

d.  Navigation warning:



8)  First stage return/ocean recovery/disposal:    Recover on drone ship JRTI.

9)  Launch to deployment events/timeline:    

Hours:Minutes:Seconds after lift-off.  Times approximate.  

00:01:12   Max Q (Moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:26   1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:30   1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:36   2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:02:57   Fairing deployment
00:06:10   1st stage entry burn begins
00:06:34   1st stage entry burn ends
00:08:07   1st stage landing burn begins
00:08:29   1st stage landing
00:08:39   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:53:59   2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:54:00   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:05:08   Starlink satellites deploy

10)  Orbit insertion:   299 x 339 kilometers at 43 degree inclination
Link Posted: 8/9/2023 9:42:19 PM EDT
[#39]
Was hoping for 7:30 for some good jelly fish viewing.

Damn.
Link Posted: 8/11/2023 1:09:44 AM EDT
[#40]
Webcast is starting.
Link Posted: 8/11/2023 1:15:34 AM EDT
[#41]
I can't believe I actually stumbled on this at T-3:00.

Bump.
Link Posted: 8/11/2023 1:27:38 AM EDT
[#42]
They stuck the landing again.  Kudos to SpaceX.
Link Posted: 8/11/2023 1:30:24 AM EDT
[#43]
Assuming that they deploy the satellites I have a pass tomorrow evening in the north sky.   Check heavens-above.com for passes near you.

Early passes "may" be easily seen with the naked eye.
Link Posted: 8/11/2023 1:41:40 AM EDT
[#44]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By AmericanPeople:
Assuming that they deploy the satellites I have a pass tomorrow evening in the north sky.   Check heavens-above.com for passes near you.

Early passes "may" be easily seen with the naked eye.
View Quote

I haven't been out to the desert to watch meteors, view planets, etc. since the StarLink launches started.  I'm curious but not eager to see how they have changed the viewing.  The Perseid meteors should be good this year, other than possible satellite debacles.
Link Posted: 8/12/2023 11:26:22 AM EDT
[#45]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By California_Kid:

I haven't been out to the desert to watch meteors, view planets, etc. since the StarLink launches started.  I'm curious but not eager to see how they have changed the viewing.  The Perseid meteors should be good this year, other than possible satellite debacles.
View Quote


SpaceX has done a lot to minimize reflected light.  I have looked several times at early passes (three days after launch and later) and been unable to see them using binoculars.
Link Posted: 8/12/2023 5:40:25 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Chokey] [#46]


While out west of Tubac, Arizona on August 7 shooting jellyfish sprites to the south and lightning to the east, I also turned another camera due west, looking straight towards Diablo ("Devil") Mountain.  To my surprise the Space X rocket launched out of Vandenburg, California and arched over the mountain like a rainbow.  
These images are part of the timelapse sequence I captured, but I wanted to share two of my favorite moments!  I'm not gonna lie, there were moments that night were I was crying in awe and wonder.  Someday soon I'll share the series of images showing all the bolts, sprites, and rocket images so you can see for yourself what I experienced.  I'm positive I'll never top it.



Link Posted: 8/13/2023 11:01:43 AM EDT
[#47]




it's awesome that they need to reactivate old launch complexes and adding a new one.
Link Posted: 8/14/2023 12:21:44 PM EDT
[Last Edit: AmericanPeople] [#48]
Mission:   Falcon 9, Starlink 6-10

1)  Mission Description:  "A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch another batch of Starlink V2 Mini internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean."    SpaceFlightNow source

2)  Launch window:   8:14 PM, 9:05 PM, 9:55 PM or 11:36 PM EDT (16 August 2023)    

3)  Launch Site:   SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida

4)  Launch direction:  Southeast

5)  Webcast viewing options:

a.   SpaceX webcast (Starts about 5 minutes before liftoff)

b.  YouTube:



6)  Observation comments:    Sunset: 8:02 PM.   Civil Twilight: 8:26 PM.  Jellyfish effects may be possible.  Perhaps better with a 9:05 PM lift-off.  Forget about jellyfish now.

7)  Launch preparations:

a.  Boats heading out.


Gav Cornwell@SpaceOffshore.  Departure! ASOG and Doug are outbound from Florida to support Starlink 6-10.

b.  Satellites:

File photo of SpaceX’s Starlink V2 Mini satellites inside a payload processing facility at Cape Canaveral. Image: SpaceX

c.  Ready for launch:



d.  Navigation warning:


Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

8)  First stage return/ocean recovery/disposal:    Recover on drone ship ASOG.

9)  Launch to deployment events/timeline:    

Hours:Minutes:Seconds after lift-off.  Times approximate.  

00:01:12   Max Q (Moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:26   1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:29   1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:35   2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:03:07   Fairing deployment
00:06:09   1st stage entry burn begins
00:06:32   1st stage entry burn ends
00:07:59   1st stage landing burn begins
00:08:27   1st stage landing
00:08:38   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:53:57   2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:54:00   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:05:07   Starlink satellites deploy

10)  Orbit insertion:   299 x 339 kilometers at 43 degree inclination
Link Posted: 8/16/2023 12:23:37 AM EDT
[Last Edit: AmericanPeople] [#49]
Mission:  Falcon 9, Starlink 7-1

1)  Mission description:  "A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch another batch of Starlink V2 Mini internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean." Source

2)  Launch window:    12:45 AM PDT  (22 August 2023).     If needed, additional opportunities are available at 1:36 a.m. PT (08:36 UTC) and 2:26 a.m. PT (09:26 UTC).

3)  Launch site:   SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California

4)  Launch direction:   South-southeasterly

5)  Webcast viewing options:

a. SpaceX webcast (Starts about 5 minutes before liftoff)

b.  YouTube:



6)  Observation comments:   None

7)  Launch preparations:

a.  Boats heading out.


Scorpius + OCISLY depart PoLB on August 14 @ 1:52pm PT (4:52pm ET)
Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

b.  Satellites:  See previous Starlink discussions.

c.  Ready for launch:


d.  Navigation warning:


Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

8)  First stage return/ocean recovery/disposal:    Drone ship OCISLY

9)  Launch to deployment events/timeline:      

Hours:Minutes:Seconds after lift-off.  Times approximate.  

00:01:12   Max Q (Moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:26   1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:30   1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:36   2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:03:04   Fairing deployment
00:06:10   1st stage entry burn begins
00:06:33   1st stage entry burn ends
00:08:05   1st stage landing burn begins
00:08:27   1st stage landing
00:08:38   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:53:59   2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:54:00   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:05:08   Starlink satellites deploy

10)  Orbit destination:  53 degree inclination.
Link Posted: 8/16/2023 11:31:42 PM EDT
[#50]
Web cast just went live.


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