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Raumfahrt - Erfolgreicher Start von SpaceX Falcon-9 mit 60 Starlink-Satelliten (5.Start)

15.02.2020

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Ars Technica quoted NASA's Johnson Space Center Director Mark Geyer as saying no final date had been agreed upon. FLORIDA TODAY could not independently confirm the date, which will likely shift.

Before its departure from Hawthorne, SpaceX posted a photo of Crew Dragon with employees celebrating in front of the 27-foot-tall spacecraft.

"SpaceX employees with Crew Dragon before it departed our Hawthorne factory for the launch site in Florida – one step closer to returning human spaceflight capabilities to the United States," SpaceX said.

Currently at the Cape, a Falcon 9 rocket is slated to launch 60 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 40 at 10:25 a.m. Sunday, the opening of a short window. Weather for the attempt is expected at 90% "go."

Quelle: Florida Today

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Weekend plans? Try SpaceX's next Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral

SpaceX is now targeting 10:25 a.m. Sunday for liftoff due to poor weather conditions in the Atlantic Ocean where the rocket is scheduled to land. Weather for the attempt should be 90% "go."

Original story:

The window for SpaceX's next launch from Cape Canaveral, slated for Saturday, should embody wintertime Florida: nearly 70 degrees, a healthy breeze, and the possibility of offshore showers.

And unlike many late-night or early morning missions, the 10:47 a.m. liftoff from Launch Complex 40 is ideal for Space Coast visitors and residents to catch a glimpse of the 230-foot-tall Falcon 9 rocket.

Air Force weather forecasters are anticipating 70% "go" conditions.

"For the launch window Saturday morning, a few showers will linger off the coast," the 45th Weather Squadron said Thursday. "However, with low-level winds from the northeast, there is a slight chance for cumulus clouds to move onshore during the window."

Teams have until 11:02 a.m. to launch the rocket with 60 Starlink communications satellites. If successful, this fifth flight under the Starlink banner will bring the constellation's size to 300 satellites in low-Earth orbit. SpaceX hopes to start selling broadband internet connectivity as soon as late this year.

Shortly after liftoff, the rocket's first stage will target a landing on the Of Course I Still Love You drone ship.

Spectators watch the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with 60 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral on Nov. 11, 2019.
MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY

Spectators should note, however, that the Cape and Kennedy Space Center will be enforcing specific road closures:

• State Road 3 near KSC, including Space Commerce Way, will be closed to the public at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Access to KSC, the Visitor Complex, Exploration Park and Blue Origin will be limited to authorized personnel or those with launch viewing tickets. The roads will reopen after liftoff.

• The NASA Causeway between U.S. 1 and KSC's main gate will also be staffed by KSC police checking for proper credentials.

• The Visitor Complex will be open, but only until capacity is reached.

• State Road 406 in Titusville towards Playalinda Beach will remain open until capacity is reached or 9:30 a.m., whichever comes first. The same applies to State Road 3 north in Volusia County, which also leads to the beach.

Contact Emre Kelly at aekelly@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3715. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @EmreKelly. Support his space journalism by subscribing at floridatoday.com/specialoffer/.

Launch Saturday

  • Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
  • Mission: 60 Starlink satellites
  • Launch Time: 10:47 a.m.
  • Launch Window: 16 minutes
  • Location: 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station:
  • Weather: 70% "go"

Join floridatoday.com/space at 9:30 a.m. Saturday for countdown chat and updates including streaming of SpaceX's launch webcast. 

Quelle: Florida Today

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SpaceX test fires rocket at Cape Canaveral, but delays Starlink launch

SpaceX test fired a Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral early Friday ahead of its launch this weekend, though teams are now targeting a 24-hour delay due to weather conditions.

"Static fire of Falcon 9 complete ahead of launching 60 Starlink satellites," SpaceX said Friday. "Due to poor weather in the recovery area tomorrow, now targeting launch on Sunday."

Sunday's liftoff time at Launch Complex 40 is slated for 10:25 a.m.

The recovery area refers to the zone in the Atlantic Ocean where the Of Course I Still Love You drone ship will wait for the rocket's first stage to return for landing. If conditions at sea are too rough, SpaceX will typically push the launch until they are more favorable for a safe recovery.

Back at the Cape, meanwhile, the Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron is expecting 90% "go" conditions for liftoff. 

If successful, this fifth flight under the Starlink banner will bring the constellation's size to 300 satellites in low-Earth orbit. SpaceX hopes to kick off internet service through the network sometime late this year.

Quelle: Florida Today

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Update: 16.02.2020

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SpaceX tests Falcon 9 rocket for next Starlink satellite fleet launch

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