SpaceX F9 - Starlink Group 6-3 - SLC-40

Launch Date: May 19
Launch Window: 2:19am EDT (11:19pm PDT on the 18th, 07:19 UTC on the 19th)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), Florida
Core Booster Recovery: ASDS - ASOG
Booster: B1076.5
Fairings: Reused - 8th time each
Mass: 21 Starlink 2.0 mini Satellites
Orbit: LEO
Yearly Launch Number: 32

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 75th group of satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink 6-3. The Starlink Group 6-3 mission is the third V2 mini launch to their second generation constellation. V1.5 satellites are also being sent to the second generation constellation with the Group 5 missions.

The Starlink Group 6-3 mission is headed to the 43º inclination shell of Starlink's second generation constellation. Satellites in this shell will be orbiting Earth in a 530km circular orbit at 43º inclination. This mission will carry 21 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into a 344x353km 43° orbit and from there they'll raise their orbits to operational altitude.

 

[808?]

 

[Grendal]

 

[Grendal]

Delayed

https://twitter.com/x/status/1659421278456131586

 

[Grendal]

Good launch. Booster wasn't a perfect bullseye but still in the circle.

 

[ecarfan]

I recall a previous mission with the V2 mini sats, when the fairings separated the camera view was from the top looking down. This time the view was the usual bottom looking up.

So impressive that both fairing halves were being used the 8th time on this mission. They may be lightweight but they sure are tough to survive that many re-entries essentially unscathed!