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Blue hour at SLC-40 where SpaceX’s Falcon 9 B1049.6 is ready to launch the 11th batch of Starlink satellites.
Trevor Mahlmann
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A very oozing booster after 5 launches and landings indeed,
Trevor Mahlmann
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Reused booster: check.
Trevor Mahlmann
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Reused legs: check.
Trevor Mahlmann
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Reused fairings: check.
Trevor Mahlmann
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Close-up of the previously used fairing.
Trevor Mahlmann
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I spy with my little eye, a fairing catcher boat icon on the fairing.
Trevor Mahlmann
Let’s spare a moment’s thought for the B1049, a Falcon 9 first-stage booster that debuted in September 2018 with the launch of the Telstar 18V trade mission. Then, in January 2019, the core launched another trade mission, sending an Iridium satellite passel into space.
Both have been successful. Since then, Stage One has placed three different Starlink missions into low Earth orbit as SpaceX seeks to build a constellation of satellites to provide high-speed internet from space.
The Starlink platform could eventually become a very profitable business for SpaceX, although there is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to ground stations to receive signals, to comply with regulations, etc. But what is indisputable is that the launch of Starlink missions has allowed SpaceX to push the boundaries of reuse with its Falcon 9 rocket.
The company has not flown any commercial satellites as the rockets’ main payload beyond their third flight – risking its own Starlink satellites on the fourth and fifth multi-stage flights of Falcon 9. And it’s worth noting that every Starlink mission has been a success in terms of putting its satellites into orbit.
There have been a few lessons learned along the way. In March, on its fifth flight, a Falcon 9 first stage suffered a premature engine shutdown on its way to orbit which prevented a successful first stage landing. This was later attributed to a problematic chemical used during the engine cleaning process between flights.
That’s the kind of thing engineers learn on the Falcon 9 rocket as they go deeper into uncharted territory. Will other aging issues arise as Boosters complete more missions? We can find out today as the B1049 becomes the first step to attempt six flights into orbit. This mission will carry 58 Starlink satellites and three SkySats for Planet.
A webcast for the launch is expected to begin approximately 15 minutes prior to the 10:31 a.m.ET (2:31 p.m. UTC) launch time.
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