It was a beautiful sunny Friday at a California beach that hosted a launch from Vandenberg of a much delayed Starlink Group 15-3 smallsats to add to the SpaceX constellation. On Friday, May 9 at 5:19 p.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched 26 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Photos by Satnews.
This was the 14th flight for the first stage booster tail number 1081, supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, NROL-186, Transporter-13, and now seven Starlink missions.
Approximately eight minutes after liftoff, B1081 landed on the SpaceX droneship, ‘Of Course I Still Love You.’ This marked the 128th booster landing on that vessel and the 441st booster landing to date.
News has indicated that there will be more Falcon 9 rocket launches this year compared to years past on the Southwest part of the United States. In March, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accepted the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) from the Department of the Air Force to allow SpaceX to increase the number of launches from SLC-4E from 36 up to 50.
SpaceX launch of Starlink Group 15-3 smallsats finally to launch on Friday
SpaceX is targeting Friday, May 9 for a Falcon 9 launch of 26 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 5:00 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 7:21 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are available on Saturday, May 10 starting at 5:00 p.m. PT.
The forecast calls for a temperature of 66°F, few clouds, 22% cloud cover and a wind speed of 10mph.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.
This will be the 14th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, NROL-186, Transporter-13, and six 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.
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.
SpaceX delays Sunday Starlink launch of Group 15-3 smallsats to Friday
The launch of SpaceX’s Starlink Group 15-3 has been moved out several times most recently appearing as through mid-day Saturday and then Sunday would be the day at Vandenberg. However, the mission disappeared from the list of upcoming SpaceX launches and federal notices that warn pilots of upcoming launch plans. Additionaly, they have been removed without a mention of a new targeted attempt. SpaceX did not explain the reason for the delay.
Lompoc Valley residents on Friday, witnessed SpaceX conducting a static fire test that counts down and fires the engines while the rocket remains standing at Space Launch Complex-4.
Even though the test to check various systems and detect any possible problems seemingly went well causing SpaceX to confirm plans to attempt to launch the rocket this weekend, obviously that didn’t happen.
The most current information now indicates Friday, May 9th, at 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM PDT.
The forecast next Friday calls for a temperature of 57°F, broken clouds, 82% cloud cover and a wind speed of 14mph.
SpaceX weather delays Starlink launch of Group 15-3 smallsats
It’s no surprise that the potential weather issues on May 3, with 100% cloud cover was the reason that the Starlink Group 15-3 of 29 smallsats launch was scrubbed and is tentatively rescheduled for Sunday, May 4 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Liftoff is targeted for 4:53 a.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 8:48 a.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, May 5 starting at 4:22 a.m. ET.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five 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 20th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-6, SES O3b mPOWER-B, USSF-124, Bluebird 1-5, and 15 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
The weather forecast for Vandenberg Space Force Base includes overcast clouds, 100% cloud cover, and 21 mph winds. This launch was expected to deploy 26 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit, and will further add to the Starlink smallsat constellation.
The Falcon 9 first stage will attempt to land on ASDS OCISLY in the Pacific Ocean after its flight. The mission costs $52 million.
SpaceX’s Saturday launch of Starlink’s Group 15-3 smallsats may have weather issues
On Saturday, May 3, Falcon 9 will launch 26 smallsats of Starlink Group 15-3 into low Earth orbit at 11:27 AM – 3:55 PM PDT from Vandenberg for the Starlink smallsat constellation.
The forecast calls for a temperature of 56°F, overcast clouds, 100% cloud cover and a wind speed of 21mph.
The Falcon 9 first stage will attempt to land on ASDS OCISLY in the Pacific Ocean after its flight. The mission costs $52 million.
