Space X F9 - Starlink 10/SkySats 19-21 - SLC-40

[e-FTW]

Launch Date: August 18
Launch Window: Approx. 1430 GMT (10:30 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40
Core Booster Recovery: ASDS - OCISLY (?)
Booster: B1049.6
Fairings: Reused
Mass: 58 satellites at 260 kg each - 15,080 kg - Skysats 120 kg each
Orbit: LEO

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 58 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink 10. Three SkySat Earth-imaging satellites for Planet will launch as rideshare payloads on this mission.
Source: SFN

Of note:

• 100th mission for SpaceX
• First 6th flight for a booster (https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1291766128960839681?s=21)

 

[adiggs]

Gotta say - I love all these Starlink launches AND I love all these Starlink launches with a few rideshares to help pay for the launches.

 

[Grendal]

Picture of the Skysats:

 

[Grendal]

Fairings will be reused.

 

[Grendal]

Static fire was successful on August 17th early in the morning. Weather is 80% go for launch tomorrow - if it happens.

 

[Nikxice]

 

[Grendal]

 

[scaesare]

6th reuse and landing for a first stage secured!

 

[ecarfan]

Landing was right on the money! Though always disappointing not seeing the landing from the POV of the booster.

 

[Grendal]

Success on everything so far!

It looks like B1049 will be the first for a seventh launch. SpaceX is hitting their mark. Block 5 is a huge success.

 

[Mo City]

Dead center. The precision of the landings just keeps getting better!

 

[HVM]

Which fairing is in the net? And which one is in the waves?

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

6th reuse and landing for a first stage secured!

FTFY.

 

[adiggs]

Ho hum. Another routine launch of a batch of satellites for the constellation. Another booster recovered to be reused again, probably later this year considering how fast SpaceX is launching and reusing boosters.

Just another boring day at the office, transporting stuff into space.

(I get a kick out of this stuff)

 

[Grendal]

NASASpaceflight has a great article on the accomplishments of this launch.
SpaceX Breaks Record with Booster's Sixth Flight - NASASpaceFlight.com

 

[favo]

From Elon's Twitter:
Ms Tree catches fairing in her net

Also, there's a video.

 

[Cosmacelf]

These fairing half capture videos are interesting. The ships are typically moving at a fair clip. It looks like they align the ship with the parachute’s forward path, moving at the same forward ground speed that the parachute is moving at. In this video, I only noticed the slight application of the right hand brake line, presumably to counteract a slight wind drift.

Given how long it takes for a ship to change to a parallel course (ie turn left, wait a bit, turn right), they seem to use the parachute’s brakes for slight wind changes as it is falling. At some point, they probably set the parachute into the wind, and let it run full speed forward. I am guessing that they have to content with significant wind that far on the ocean (25 + km/h probably isn’t unusual).

 

[Grendal]

Article from Space News on today's achievement.
Falcon 9 reaches new reusability record during Starlink, SkySat launch - SpaceNews

 

[ecarfan]

These fairing half capture videos are interesting.

I’m on vacation in a rural area with slow internet speeds; did SpaceX capture both fairing halves?

 

[Mo City]

I’m on vacation in a rural area with slow internet speeds; did SpaceX capture both fairing halves?

One