SpaceX F9 - Starlink Group 7-9 - SLC-4E

Launch Date: January 2
Launch Window: 7:44 pm PST
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Core Booster Recovery: ASDS - OCISLY
Booster: B1082.1
Fairings: Reused
Mass: 21 v2 mini Starlink satellites
Orbit: SSO - Polar LEO
Yearly Launch Number: 1

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 131st group of satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink 7-9. This group in this shell will be headed to the 53 degree inclination shell at a 525km circular orbit.

SpaceX confirmed this launch will carry the first direct-to-cell Starlink satellites. Six to be exact. The other 15 will be the Starlink v2 Mini satellites.

This launch will also be using a brand new booster!

 

[Grendal]

 

[MyJoule]

Just saw it's been postponed to the 28t according to SpaceX.com Wonder what's up ?

 

[Grendal]

If everything goes as expected, this will be the last launch of the year.

It will now be the first launch of the New Year.

 

[RichardL]

Is there an updated time for this launch. I saw a website claiming tonight (1/2/24) at 9:31, but not sure if that is local or eastern or what? Or is it actually for Wednesday?

 

[JB47394]

Is there an updated time for this launch. I saw a website claiming tonight (1/2/24) at 9:31, but not sure if that is local or eastern or what? Or is it actually for Wednesday?

9:31 EST today

If you google "Starlink 7-9 launch", you'll get useful hits.

 

[Ben W]

6:31pm PST launch. With local sunset at 4:59pm, that may be just slightly too late for a spectacular sky show, but I'll be watching from my backyard anyway!

 

[Grendal]

Launching soon and the first launch of the new year has a new booster!

 

[Cosmacelf]

Wow, a brand new booster for a Starlink launch. I guess no one wants a booster that hasn’t had the bugs worked out, right?

Also, don’t know if it was the new tech on that booster, but that landing was super smooth and bullseye perfect.