On Monday, April 7 at 4:06 p.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched 27 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
This was the first flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission.
Shortly after launch, after completing its mission, the booster returned to land on the “Of Course I Still Love You” (OCISLY) droneship, in the Pacific Ocean.
SpaceX plans Monday launch for Starlink Group 11-11 smallsats from California
SpaceX is still planning Monday, April 7 for a Falcon 9 launch of Group 11-11 containing 27 Starlink smallsats to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California from 3:00 PM – 6:35 PM PDT. The launch cost is $52 million.
The forecast calls for a temperature of 60°F, scattered clouds, 42% cloud cover and a wind speed of 16mph.
This will be the first flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission. 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.
There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.
The Falcon 9 first stage will attempt to land on ASDS OCISLY after its first flight. The second ASDS barge, Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) services launches in the Pacific Ocean and was the site of the first landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage during CRS-8, the launch of a Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station.
SpaceX changes Group 11-11 smallsats launch to Monday
SpaceX is now targeting Monday, April 7 for a Falcon 9 launch of Group 11-11 containing a batch of Starlink smallsats to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California from 2:35 PM – 7:06 PM PDT. The Falcon 9 first stage will attempt to land on ASDS Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) after its flight. The booster serial number is unknown at this time.
The SpaceX launch date for Group 11-11, originally scheduled for April 5, 2025, was likely changed due to a ground system issue with the Falcon 9 rocket, specifically a hydraulic system issue with a clamp arm at Launch Complex 39A.
Weather forecast is a high of 62°, wind gusts 23 mph, and cloud cover 58%.
SpaceX’s Starlink Group 11-11 and Group 6-72 to launch on Saturday from East and West Coasts
SpaceX is targeting Saturday, April 5 for a Falcon 9 launch of Group 11-11 with a batch of Starlink smallsats to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California from 3:30 – 11:51 pm PDST. The Falcon 9 first stage will attempt to land on ASDS Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) after its flight. The booster serial number is unknown at this time.
and…
SpaceX is targeting Saturday, April 5 for a Falcon 9 launch a batch of Group 6-72 Starlink smallsats to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral SFS from 7:40 PM – 12:11 pm PDST. The Falcon 9 first stage will attempt to land on one of two East Coast ASDS after its flight. The booster serial number is unknown at this time.
