Starlink Group 3-5
April 27th 2023, 13:40
Launch Date
Space Launch Complex 4E
Vandenberg Space Force Base
Of Course I Still Love You
Droneship
B1061-13
Falcon 9 Block 5
SpaceX is targeting Thursday, April 27 at 6:40 a.m. PT (13:40 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 46 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3, and three Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
Media
Starlink Mission
SpaceX
Timeline
All Times Are Approximate
Countdown
T-00:38:00
SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load
T-00:35:00
RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins
T-00:35:00
1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins
T-00:16:00
2nd stage LOX loading begins
T-00:07:00
Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch
T-00:01:00
Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks
T-00:01:00
Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins
T-00:00:45
SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch
T-00:00:03
Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start
T+00:00:00
Falcon 9 liftoff
Launch, Landing, and Deployment
T+00:01:12
Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
T+00:02:27
1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
T+00:02:30
1st and 2nd stages separate
T+00:02:36
2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
T+00:02:47
Fairing deployment
T+00:06:13
1st stage entry burn begins
T+00:06:32
1st stage entry burn ends
T+00:08:01
1st stage landing burn begins
T+00:08:24
1st stage landing
T+00:08:38
2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
T+00:52:44
2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
T+00:52:46
2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
T+00:59:53
Starlink satellites deploy