SpaceX Set To Launch 50th Starlink Mission!

Article Written By: Josh for Onkla

SpaceX is set to launch their 50th overall Starlink mission from SLC-4E, Vandenberg, SFB, California. The launch is set to fly on a Falcon 9 Block 5, with booster B1063 which has perviously supported five other missions, all flying from Vandenberg SFB. B1063's inaugural flight was on the Sentinel 6A Michael Freiliech Launch back in November of 2020. It also supported the DART mission or Double Asteroid Redirection Test which launched in November of 2021. It then supported three starlink missions, and this will be its fourth.

Starlink 3-1 is set to launch from SLC-4E at the Vandenberg SFB on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at 9:39pm EDT or 6:39pm Local. The Falcon 9 rocket will ascend into the sky prior to MECO (main engine cutoff), stage separation, and M-Vac ignition. The second stage will then burn for around five minutes prior to deploying all 46 Starlink satellites into their sun synchronous orbit.

Photo: SpaceFlight Now (Sentinel 6A Michael Freiliech Launch)

The Falcon 9 rocket continues to look nominal as it continues to head for its T-0. The weather is also looking like it will cooporate as it is 80% favorable at the time of writing. The sky will be fully sunny, however the winds could be an issue for this launch.

Falcon 9 will perform the normal launch procedure on Space Launch Complex 4 East.

T- 38:00 // Poll for Propellant Load

T- 35:00 // Stage 1 RP-1 Load Start

T- 35:00 // Stage 1 LOx Load Start

T- 35:00 // Stage 2 RP-1 Load Start

T- 20:00 // 20 Minute Vent

T- 18:00 // Stage 2 RP-1 Load Complete

T- 16:00 // Stage 2 LOx Load Start

T- 2:20 // Stage 1 RP-1 Load Complete

T- 1:55 // Stage 1 LOx Load Complete

T- 1:33 // Stage 2 LOx Load Complete

T- 1:00 // Startup

T- 0:45 // Final Go For Launch

T- 0:02 // Engine Ignition

T 0:00 // Liftoff

Once liftoff occurs with the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, the mission has entered the plus count or T+ .... Falcon 9 will then follow the normal mission profile for most Starlink launches, besides that it is traveling at 97.6 degrees inclination down the coast of California.

T+ 0:12 // Roll Program

T+ 0:55 // Throttle Down

T+ 1:12 // Max-Q

T+ 2:35 // MECO (Main Engine Cutoff)

T+ 2:45 // M-Vac Ignition

T+ 3:10 // Fairing Separation

T+ 6:22 // Entry Burn

T+ 7:50 // Landing

T+ 8:10 // SECO (Second Engine Cutoff)

It is not currently known when the payload will deploy or if there will be another ignition of the second stage M-Vac engine. However, on the next article about this mission. We will write on the new updated mission profile.

The first stage will be landing on OCISLY or Of Course I Still Love You, which is an autonomous spaceport droneship which was moved from the east coast, to the west coast, to support these launches. The droneship will be positioned around 600km south of Lompoc, California. The booster will return to port a couple of days after launch for its refurbishment process and readiness for its next launch!

Question of the Day!

Will SpaceX Achieve Full Reusability with their upcoming Starship rocket?

Change Image

• Yes (Full Reusability)
• Partly (Partially Reusable)
• No (Expendable Launch Vehicle)
• It wont get off the pad

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