SpaceX F9 - Starlink Group 4-12 - SLC-40

[Grendal]

Launch Date: March 19
Launch Window: 12:42am EDT (9:42pm PDT on the 18th, 04:42 UTC on the 19th)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
Core Booster Recovery: ASDS - JRTI
Booster: B1051-12
Fairings: Reused
Mass: 53 satellites - 15.6 tonnes
Orbit: LEO

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 41st group of satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink 4-12.

If successful, this will be SpaceX's 11 launch this year. This is SpaceX's 144th F9 launch.

This will be the 12th launch for B1051 - SpaceX's life leader for boosters.

 

[Snerruc]

Any update on the launch?

 

[Grendal]

Any update on the launch?

Currently, still on track for the 18th. Adjustments typically happen within a day or two. So on the 16th or 17th the day may go to a fallback date.

 

[Grendal]

Adjustment to launch time. First post updated. The weather isn't great for the launch day or the backup day.

 

[808?]

 

[Grendal]

Delayed to secondary launch window. The weather is not good.

 

[Cosmacelf]

Delayed to secondary launch window. The weather is not good.

Huh? It just launched. Successful landing on drone ship too.

 

[HVM]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1505044332297920516

 

[HVM]

SES-2 SECO-2

 

[Grendal]

Complete success and booster recovery. We have a continuing life leader: B1051!

 

[HVM]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1505057321918947328

 

[HVM]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1505058886130311169

 

[MyJoule]

Weird there was no mission control audio on the launch - Glad it all worked. Way to go SpaceX! Never gets old watching them.

 

[Cosmacelf]

Weird there was no mission control audio on the launch - Glad it all worked. Way to go SpaceX! Never gets old watching them.

Yeah, I think it was a production glitch.

 

[Grendal]

Yeah, I think it was a production glitch.

Yes. The announcer spokesperson wasn't aware that the call outs weren't heard.

 

[Snerruc]

16. metric tons hmmm…. What else was on that launch? That’s more than normal weight for 53 satellites.

 

[Cosmacelf]

16. metric tons hmmm…. What else was on that launch? That’s more than normal weight for 53 satellites.

Is it? They didn’t do a dogleg maneuver this time, so they could put more satellites in.

 

[bxr140]

16. metric tons hmmm…. What else was on that launch? That’s more than normal weight for 53 satellites.

Could be any of a number of incremental upgrades racked up over 53 sats. (More propellant, more shielding, more electronics equipment, additional antennas, more batteries, solar arrays, etc.)

Could also be any number of prototyped equipment, like a new rideshare adapter, different restraint hardware, etc.

 

[TLej]

16. metric tons hmmm…. What else was on that launch? That’s more than normal weight for 53 satellites.

Sounds like the fairing was loaded with #9 coal, if you ask me.

 

[Snerruc]

OK, my guess is something the Ukrainians need/wanted.