SpaceX prepares Falcon 9 for Starlink and BlackSky Global launch [live stream]
From launch details to the payload and schedule, here’s what you need to know about SpaceX’s tenth Starlink mission.
Update: SpaceX confirmed 40 minutes before launch that the team would be standing down from today’s Starlink mission “due to weather.” However, the mission will “proceed through the countdown until T-1 minute for data collection”. SpaceX will announce a new target launch date in due course.
SpaceX is currently preparing the Falcon 9 rocket — the B1051.5 booster — for the launch of its tenth Starlink mission. Today’s launch will include 57 Starlink satellites, along with two BlackSky Global satellites.
BlackSky is a SpaceFlight customer that specialises in organising rideshare space launches of secondary payloads and geospatial intelligence services. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming launch.
SpaceX Starlink launch: Factsheet
When will the launch take place
The launch schedule has been set for 8 July at 11:59 Eastern Time (ET), or 17:59 South African Standard Time (SAST). Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida is prepped and ready.
SpaceX Starlink launch details
According to SpaceX, all the Starlink satellites heading into low-Earth orbit today have been outfitted with a sunshade visor that was tested on a single satellite on the June 2020 launch.
“All Starlink satellites on this flight are equipped with a deployable visor to block sunlight from hitting the brightest spots of the spacecraft – a measure SpaceX has taken as part of our work with leading astronomical groups to mitigate satellite reflectivity”.
Watch: SpaceX Starlink launch
The Falcon 9 first stage booster used in today’s launch also previously supported Crew Dragon’s first demonstration mission to the International Space Station. In addition, it was used for the launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, and the fourth and seventh Starlink missions.
Once the stage separation is complete, the Falcon 9’s first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Starlink schedule
Times are subject to change.
Launch mission countdown
| 00:38:00 | SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load |
| 00:35:00 | RP-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 pressurisation 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 |
Launch, landing and deployment
| 00:01:12 | Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket) |
| 00:02:33 | 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO) |
| 00:02:36 | 1st and 2nd stages separate |
| 00:02:43 | 2nd stage engine starts (SES-1) |
| 00:03:24 | Fairing deployment |
| 00:06:40 | 1st stage entry burn complete |
| 00:08:24 | 1st stage landing |
| 00:08:51 | 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1) |
| 00:47:18 | 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2) |
| 00:47:21 | 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2) |
| 01:01:32 | Global 7 deployment |
| 01:06:47 | Global 8 deployment |
| 01:32:54 | Starlink satellites deploy |