Falcon 9 Launches Starlink Satellites

photo credit: Paradox Adventure Photography for SpaceX FrontPage 

 At 8:10 pm EST, SpaceX successfully launched its next group of Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from LC-39/A at Kennedy Space Center. B1062 served as the first stage on its 18^th flight. It previously supported GPS-III (04 and 05), Inspiration-4, Nilesat-301, One Web 17; Arabsat BADR-8, and ten Starlink missions.

Thirty-five minutes before launch, super-chilled RP-1 kerosene flowed into both stages. Liquid oxygen, needed for combustion, began to fill simultaneously. Sixteen minutes before t-zero, LOX flowed in the second stage, which is always a brand-new vehicle. Computers ensured milestones were executed on time, including engine chill-down, tank pressurization and ignition. The Falcon 9 rose into clear skies then headed southeast.

   Booster B1062 separation occurred two and a half minutes after launch. As the second stage ignited its lone engine moments later, B1062 performed a flip maneuver to start its reuse journey. Grid fins and cold gas thrusters aligned the descending stage. Six minutes after launch, three engines started for the entry burn. This began to slow down the rocket as it lowered to the Atlantic Ocean. Aligned with A Shortfall of Gravitas, an automated barge, the landing burn allowed B1062 to gently touch down on the automated barge’s deck.

photo credit: Paradox Adventure Photography for SpaceX FrontPage 

   As the second stage continued to propel the payload, the fairings which protect the cargo during atmospheric ascent, split in two then peeled away from the rocket. They coasted to the ocean, slowed by parachutes. A boat will scoop the fairing halves for reuse.

   Second stage fired for six minutes then shut down to enter a coast phase. One short burn occurred before deploying 23 Starlink V2 mini satellites, about an hour and five minutes after launch. The spent stage performs adjustments to line it up with entry and burn-up over the Indian Ocean. Starlink 6.35 group will join over 5,500 operational machines, providing high-speed low-latency internet to underserved rural locations, cruise ships, airlines, and mobile users.

By John Howard