21.05.2024
SpaceX targets mid-week Starlink double-header rocket launches from Space Coast, Florida
The Space Coast can look forward to back-to-back Starlink launchesthis week. After the "jellyfish" forming Starlink launch Friday night, this would be the first rocket launch double-header since late April.
First up on Wednesday, SpaceX appears to have a Starlink launch window running from 10:33 p.m. to 3:04 a.m. Thursday. If conditions are clear, this night launch will be difficult to miss as it lights up the skies over Cape Canaveral.
Less than 24 hours later, a Geospatial Navigational Warning indicates that SpaceX is planning yet another Starlink launch. A launch window runs from 6:45 p.m. until 11:16 p.m. Thursday. While SpaceX normally launches towards the beginning of the launch window, weather at the launch and booster landing sites play a factor in timing.
While SpaceX has yet to confirm the existence of these missions, Geospatial Navigational Warnings show open rocket launch windows for both nights, and the long time periods seen in these windows indicate Starlink launches.
Both launches will travel in a southeast trajectory, meaning those near Cape Canaveral and areas south will get a view. However, the launch pads that will be used have yet to be confirmed by SpaceX.
Another big launch possibly on tap this week: NASA officials have stated that Boeing's Starliner will target a launch of no earlier than 3:09 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 25. Teams are working to address a helium leak coming from the Starliner service module, which is the disposable lower part of the spacecraft containing engines and thrusters.
Quelle: Florida Today
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Update: 24.05.2024
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SpaceX launches more Starlink satellites Thursday as constellation passes 3 million users
This week, Starlink officials announced their high-speed internet constellation is now connecting more than 3 million people, with the Republic of Fiji's 300-plus islands marking the network's 99th country, territory or service market.
Thursday night, another SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch added 23 more satellites to that ever-expanding constellation, notching the second of back-to-back Starlink night launches from the Cape.
The Falcon 9 vaulted from pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 10:45 p.m. EDT — four hours later than initially scheduled — and displayed a multicolored exhaust plume to Space Coast rocket spectators.
The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron had forecast 95% odds of "go for launch" weather. And prior to liftoff, no cloud cover of note showed up on the National Weather Service radar loop from the Melbourne Orlando International Airport station.
Thursday's mission marked the 13th flight for the Falcon 9 first-stage booster, SpaceX reported.
The booster previously launched Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, NG-20 and six Starlink missions.
Following stage separation, the booster landed on the SpaceX drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean roughly 8 minutes, 15 seconds after liftoff.
Quelle: Florida Today