SpaceX - Falcon 9 - Starlink 9-6 - SLC-4E - Vandenberg Space Force Base - September 12, 2024

Launch Date: September 12 (PDT)
Launch Time: 6:45 p.m. PDT - September 13, 0145 UTC, 03:45 CEST
Launch Window: Open til 09:49 p.m. PDT, September 12
Launch Site: SLC-4E - Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA
Targeted Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Launch Inclination: South-East
Launch Status: Successful lift-off

Mission: Starlink Group 9-6
Launch Provider: SpaceX
Launcher System: Falcon 9 (Booster 1071)
Flight for the Booster: 18
Previous Flights of the Booster: 17 - NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, NROL-146, and 10 Starlink missions
Price: $69,75 million (without payload)
Diameter: 3,7 m
Height: 70 m
Payload to Orbit: 22,800 LEO / 8,300 GTO
Lift-Off Thrust: 7,607 Kilonnewtons
Fairing: Diameter 5,2 meter / Height 13 meter
Stages: 2

SpaceX is targeting Thursday, September 12 for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 6:45 p.m. PDT (September 13, 0145 UTC, 03:45 CEST) with backup opportunities available until 9:49 p.m. PDT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Friday, September 13 starting at 6:35 p.m. PDT.

This is the 18th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, NROL-146, and 10 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.

[thebluemonkey-xnel]

Good launch. Was watching from Phoenix AZ. Still too bright, but my sone got to see the smoke as it was lifting off. After a minute, it just disappeared because of the sunlight. And it was still cool to watch.

[Palletjack-svre]

From Tucson, saw a short bit of the second stage because of the sunset and moon. Thanks again

[hcytshs]

Good morning, Good lunch ❤Bholanathpathak

[erickurzyniec]

Sad I missed this. Had to wash the dog.

[erickurzyniec]

They gotta do something about the dern ads at least put them in at the end so it doesn’t interfere with the program….