SpaceX F9 - Starlink 5 - LC-39A

[e-FTW]

Launch Date: March 18
Launch Window: 8:21 EDT, 5:21 PDT, 1221 UTC
Launch site: SLC-39A
Core Booster Recovery: ASDS
Booster: B1048.5
Fairings: Reused
Mass: 60 satellites at 260 kg each - 15,600 kg (34,500 lbs)
Orbit: LEO

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is expected to launch the sixth batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink 5.

Assumption is this will also be a quick one with their new fast to deployment burn profile.

The second stage originally intended for this launch was given to the CRS-20 launch.

 

[e-FTW]

This has been delayed to the 11th.

 

[e-FTW]

... and to the 14th.

 

[Grendal]

I will be out of town this weekend and might not be able to post the livestream for this one. It seems it will be the first 5th launch.

 

[e-FTW]

I will be out of town this weekend and might not be able to post the livestream for this one. It seems it will be the first 5th launch.

Indeed! Looking forward to that milestone!
(I will try and post the stream on Friday night which is when I assume it shows up)

 

[e-FTW]

This launch was moved to Sunday, 9:22 a.m. EDT, 13:22 UTC. There was a delay in the static fire today.

 

[e-FTW]

Per SpaceX, static fire was good, 1048.5 is confirmed, and the fairing is a flight proven one!
SpaceX on Twitter

 

[e-FTW]

Per SpaceX, static fire was good, 1048.5 is confirmed, and the fairing is a flight proven one!
SpaceX on Twitter

Such a thrifty operation, this fairing re-use saves them on paint/stickers:

 

[Grendal]

Weather is great: 90%

 

[adiggs]

I like how these Starlink launches are going from announcement to launch seemingly overnight. They really are (seemingly) continuously prepping another Starlink, getting a launch window, and sending 'em up awfully fast.

I like it

 

[Grendal]

 

[Grendal]

I like how these Starlink launches are going from announcement to launch seemingly overnight. They really are (seemingly) continuously prepping another Starlink, getting a launch window, and sending 'em up awfully fast.

I like it

Starlink is truly going to fund Elon and SpaceX's missions to get to Mars. The Starship plans to haul people and stuff around the globe to do it was going to be 1000 times more difficult to pull off successfully. I still expect that to happen too but much further in the future when Starships are being built routinely and SpaceX has vast amounts of cash to throw money at the infrastructure needed for it. Starlink is what SpaceX needs to generate lots of money but it needs to happen quickly before some other entity tries to get there before SpaceX. Falcon 9 is good enough to get the job done in its early stages. Starlink should be up and running and making some money by the end of this year. From there it should self fund its way into the larger constellation that will generate serious cash for building the vast fleet of Starships that Elon wants and needs.

I will be out of town this weekend and might not be able to post the livestream for this one. It seems it will be the first 5th launch.

My out of town plans were cut short because of the virus. So I get to enjoy the launch with the rest of you.

 

[e-FTW]

Starlink is truly going to fund Elon and SpaceX's missions to get to Mars. The Starship plans to haul people and stuff around the globe to do it was going to be 1000 times more difficult to pull off successfully. I still expect that to happen too but much further in the future when Starships are being built routinely and SpaceX has vast amounts of cash to throw money at the infrastructure needed for it. Starlink is what SpaceX needs to generate lots of money but it needs to happen quickly before some other entity tries to get there before SpaceX. Falcon 9 is good enough to get the job done in its early stages. Starlink should be up and running and making some money by the end of this year. From there it should self fund its way into the larger constellation that will generate serious cash for building the vast fleet of Starships that Elon wants and needs.



My out of town plans were cut short because of the virus. So I get to enjoy the launch with the rest of you.

You and me both brother! Lots of stuff getting canceled.
Am a touch concerned about Elon’s response to this situation though. The world has seen what this virus can do.

 

[Dr. J]

Starlink is what SpaceX needs to generate lots of money but it needs to happen quickly before some other entity tries to get there before SpaceX. Falcon 9 is good enough to get the job done in its early stages. Starlink should be up and running and making some money by the end of this year. From there it should self fund its way into the larger constellation that will generate serious cash for building the vast fleet of Starships that Elon wants and needs

I hope this isn't OT. At the astronomy conference, Elon shot down the idea of a Starlink IPO, contrary to what Gwynne Shotwell floated (possibly in response to a specific question?). Which makes it all the more likely Starlink is primarily a SpaceX funding mechanism.
As SpaceX Reaches $36 Billion Valuation, Elon Musk Clarifies Starlink IPO Rumors

 

[SMAlset]

Yes at the recent Satellite 2020 conference Elon spoke at, he laughed when asked about an IPO saying that Starlink needed to make money first and could anyone tell him which company had made money doing this and then rattled off a list that didn’t.

Elon Musk giving the keynote at Satellite 2020

 

[SMAlset]

Pouring down rain here this weekend (we can use it) but hope tomorrow a.m. is a go. Let’s see if I can wake up in time, another early one for West Coast.

 

[e-FTW]

Pouring down rain here this weekend (we can use it) but hope tomorrow a.m. is a go. Let’s see if I can wake up in time, another early one for West Coast.

Indeed. Doubt I have the fortitude to try for this one. Not because these are routine now (they never are, we have seen this lately) but I just need the sleep.

 

[Grendal]

EA on the launch.

 

[bmah]

Launch aborted at T zero. Something to do with engine power. There’s no sign of any damage on the vehicle. They said no more launch attempt today.

Bruce.

 

[ecarfan]

Well that was interesting. At T-0 there was ignition and then a fraction of a second later, an abort and the clamps were apparently never released.

I assume an abort after ignition would have been done by the software, not by a human.

At least there was no RUD!