SpaceX F9 - Starlink V1.5 - 4-3 - SLC-40

[Grendal]

Launch Date: December 2
Launch Window: 6:00pm EST (3:00pm PST, 23:00 UTC)
Launch site: SLC-40 Cape Canaveral Space Fore Station
Core Booster Recovery: ASDS - ASOG
Booster: B1060-9
Fairings: Reused - Yes
Mass: 48 satellites - 15.5 tonnes
Orbit: LEO

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 32nd group of satellites (48) for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink 4-3. This will be the second launch of the 4th (550 km) shell. There will be two Blacksky satellites ridesharing on this launch.

This will be SpaceX's 27th launch of the year.

 

[Grendal]

Weather is good.

 

[Cosmacelf]

Seems the reason these v 1.5 satellites are launched in groups of 53 rather than 60 is that they are heavier. Based on the “bankruptcy” article making the rounds, sounds like the nextgen v2.0 satellites are so heavy that it does t make sense using falcon 9 launches to lift them into space…

 

[Grendal]

Seems the reason these v 1.5 satellites are launched in groups of 53 rather than 60 is that they are heavier. Based on the “bankruptcy” article making the rounds, sounds like the nextgen v2.0 satellites are so heavy that it does t make sense using falcon 9 launches to lift them into space…

You have to wonder how heavy the Gen 2 Starlink satellites will be. I expect even heavier. Which is another reason to want Starship.

Edit: Ha. It shows that you should read all the threads before responding in one. Elon specifically says that V2 satellites are bulkier and heavier in the Starship development thread.

 

[favo]

Per SpaceflightNow, seems to be delayed until tomorrow (12/2 at 6:28 p.m. EST).

 

[favo]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1466440518271832064

 

[HVM]

 

[JohnnyEnglish]

Smoother and smoother. Practice makes perfect.

Looking forward to some Starship launches next year - the first few re-entry attempts will probably be pretty nerve wracking unless they are incredibly lucky.