SpaceX F9 - Starlink Group 3-3 - SLC-4E

[Grendal]

Launch Date: August 12
Launch Window: 2:30pm PDT (5:30pm EDT, 21:30 UTC)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA
Core Booster Recovery: ASDS - OCISLY
Booster: B1061.10
Fairings: Reused
Mass: 46 satellites - 12.9 tonnes
Orbit: SSO
Yearly Launch Number: 36th

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 55th group of satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink 3-3.

This batch is headed for the 3rd shell of Starlink's first generation constellation. This will be the third time SpaceX launches to this shell which is planned to be comprised of 6 orbital planes with 58 satellites in each plane for a total of 348 satellites. The satellites in this shell will be located at a roughly 560km circular orbit and at a 97.6º orbital inclination.

 

[808?]

 

[Grendal]

 

[Grendal]

Nailed it. Complete success of everything, as usual, except for deployment. Deployment will happen in about an hour.

And confirmed.

 

[HVM]

Stage 2 just fly over my house, no wonder if it generates UFO sightings. It was very bright due outgassing and full moon, and even brighter when sun light hit it over the North. Starlink train was not visible yet.

 

[HVM]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1558220469249003520

Second burn of the Merlin Vacuum engine complete; ~9 minutes until Starlink satellites deploy

https://twitter.com/x/status/1558226023694512129

Deployment of 46 Starlink satellites confirmed

 

[ecarfan]

Starting at about T+00:45 the vehicle appeared to be turning very rapidly. Obviously that is not what was happening. It was as if the camera tracking the vehicle was changing position. Then they switched to a different camera and everything looked normal.

Anyone else notice that?

 

[Grendal]

Starting at about T+00:45 the vehicle appeared to be turning very rapidly. Obviously that is not what was happening. It was as if the camera tracking the vehicle was changing position. Then they switched to a different camera and everything looked normal.

Anyone else notice that?

Sure did. For a few moments I thought things were going very wrong. A few seconds later I could tell it was just bad camera tracking from the engine plume and exhaust.

 

[HVM]

Gimbal lock: Gimbal lock - Wikipedia