Despite the curtain of overcast California skies SpaceX’s Falcon 9 successfully sent off 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, on Thursday, September 12 at 6:45 p.m. PT. This was SpaceX’s second launch today.
Earlier today SpaceX launched AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites from Cape Canaveral.
This is the 18th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, transporter-8, Transporter-9, NROL-146, and 10 Starlink missions.
Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
SpaceX’s second Thursday launch will be a West Coast sendoff of 21 Starlink smallsats including 13 Direct to Cell
SpaceX is targeting Thursday, September 12 for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 6:45 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 9:49 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Friday, September 13 starting at 6:35 p.m. ET.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 5 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.
This is the 18th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, transporter-8, Transporter-9, NROL-146, and 10 Starlink missions.
Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
SpaceX delays Wednesday, Patriots’ Day launch of 21 Starlink smallsats, Group 9-6
SpaceX has delayed the Starlink satellite launch of 21 small satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation originally scheduled for today, Patriots’ Day, September 11, to Thursday evening, September 12, at 6:45 p.m. PDT from Vandenberg SFB, California. The forecast indicates serious wind issues that include the most severe, Red Flag warning, that could play havoc with a launch (and on the ground the dreaded type of winds that can create and feed wildfires).
According to the weather report, the new launch time should have much more favorable wind speeds than the dangerous Red Flag warning that September 11 indicates. The forecast calls for a temperature of 63°F, few clouds, 21% cloud cover and a wind speed of 16mph.
The wind is forecast to subside at 11:00 tomorrow morning and reads:
…WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM PDT THURSDAY…
- WHAT…West to north winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 35 to 55 mph expected, strongest in the high terrain. Isolated gusts to 60 mph possible in the high terrain.
- WHERE…Antelope Valley, Interstate 5 Corridor, Northern Ventura County Mountains, Santa Barbara County Central Coast Beaches, Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains, Southern Ventura County Mountains, and Western Antelope Valley Foothills.
- WHEN…Until 11 AM PDT Thursday.
- IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.
Secure outdoor objects.
The smallsats will be launched from Low Earth Orbit. A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch at SpaceX’s website and on X @SpaceX.
Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
SpaceX ready for Patriots’ Day Starlink satellite launch, wind may cause issues
SpaceX plans a launch on Wednesday, September 11, for a batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation from Space Launch 4-E, Vandenberg SFB, California into Low Earth Orbit at 7:45 PM – 9:30 PM PDT. If needed, additional launch opportunities will be announced.
…WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM WEDNESDAY TO 11 AM PDT THURSDAY…
- WHAT…West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected.
- WHERE…Antelope Valley, Interstate 5 Corridor, Santa Barbara County Central Coast Beaches, Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast, Santa Ynez Mountains Western Range, and Western Antelope Valley Foothills.
- WHEN…From 11 AM Wednesday to 11 AM PDT Thursday.
- IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.
Secure outdoor objects.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX
SpaceX schedules Starlink smallsat Group 9-6 launch on Wednesday, Patriots’ Day
SpaceX plans a launch on Wednesday, September 11, for a batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation from Space Launch 4-E, Vandenberg SFB, California at 7:45 PM – 9:30 PM PDT. If needed, additional launch opportunities will be announced.
The smallsats will be launched from Low Earth Orbit. A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch at SpaceX’s website and on X @SpaceX.
Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
