SpaceX is targeting Thursday, May 16 for the launch of 60 Starlink satellites

May 2019 spacex.com 

MISSION OVERVIEW

SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, May1 5for the launch of 60 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. 

SpaceX’s Starlink is a next-generation satellite network capable of connecting the globe, especially reaching those who are not yet connected, with reliable and affordable broadband internet services.

The launch window open sat 10:30p.m. EDT on May 15, or 2:30UTC on May 16, and closes at 12:00 a.m. on May 16, or 4:00 UTC.  A backup launch window opens on Thursday, May 16 at 10:30 p.m. EDT, or 2:30 UTC on May 17, and closes at 12:00 a.m. on May 17, or 4:00 UTC. Falcon 9’s first stage for this mission previously supported the Telstar 18 VANTAGE mission in September 2018 and the Iridium-8 mission in January 2019. 

Following stage separation, SpaceX will attempt to land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

Approximately one hour and two minutes after liftoff, the Starlink satellites will begin deployment at an altitude of 440km. They will then use onboard propulsion to reach an operational altitude of 550km. 

SpaceX designed Starlink to connect end users with low latency, high bandwidth broadband services by providing continual coverage around the world using a network of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit. 

To manufacture and launch a constellation of such scale, SpaceX is using the same rapid iteration in design approach that led to the successes of Falcon 1, Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon. 

As such, Starlink’s simplified design is significantly more scalable and capable than its first experimental iteration.

With a flat-panel design featuring multiple high-throughput antennas and a single solar array, each Starlink satellite weighs approximately 227kg, allowing SpaceX to maximize mass production and take full advantage of Falcon 9’s launch capabilities. 

To adjust position on orbit, maintain intended altitude, and deorbit, Starlink satellites feature Hall thrusters powered by krypton. Designed and built upon the heritage of Dragon, each spacecraft is equipped with a Startracker navigation system that allows SpaceX to point the satellites with precision. Importantly, Starlink satellites are capable of tracking on-orbit debris and autonomously avoiding collision.

Additionally, 95 percent of all components of this design will quickly burn in Earth’s atmosphere at the end of each satellite’s lifecycle—exceeding all current safety standards—with future iterative designs moving to complete disintegration.

This mission will push the operational capabilities of the satellites to the limit.

SpaceX expects to encounter issues along the way, but our learnings here are key to developing an affordable and reliable broadband service in the future.

Launch webcast will go live about 15minutes before liftoff at spacex.com/webcast High-resolution photos will be posted at flickr.com/spacex

May 2019 spacex.com 

MISSION TIMELINE (all times approximate)-

00:38:00 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load-

00:35:00RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading underway-

00:35:00 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading underway-

00:16:00 2nd stage LOX loading underway-

00:07:00 Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch-

00:01:00 Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks-

00:01:00 Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins-

00:00:45 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch-

00:00:03 Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start-

00:00:00 Falcon 9 liftoff

00:01:13 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)

00:02:31 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)

00:02:34 1st and 2nd stages separate

00:02:41 2nd stage engine starts

00:03:33 Fairing deployment

00:06:43 1st stage entry burn complete

00:08:17 1st stage landing

00:08:46 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)

00:46:11 2nd stage engine restarts

00:46:14 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)

01:02:14 Starlink satellites begin deployment 

LAUNCH FACILITY

SpaceX’s SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is a world-class launch site that builds on a strong heritage. The site, located at the north end of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, was used for many years to launch Titan rockets, among the most powerful in the U.S. fleet. SpaceX took over the facility in May 2008. The center of the complex is composed of the concrete launch pad and flame diverter system. Surrounding the pad are propellant storage tanks, four lightning towers, and the integration hangar.

Before launch, Falcon 9’s stages and payload are housed inside the hangar. The payload is mated to the Falcon 9 inside SLC-40’s hangar on the transporter erector. The rocket and payload are then rolled out from the hangar to the launch pad and lifted to a vertical position.

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