Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-51 launch

SpaceXLaunch SuccessfulCommunications

Starlink Group 6‑51

Name: Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-51
Start: 2024-04-17T21:26:00Z
Location: Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

Falcon 9 Block 5

Launched Wed, Apr 17 · 9:26 PM UTC2024-04-17 21:26 UTCLaunch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

Reached orbit
Booster landed on Just Read the Instructions

Follow SpaceX in the app Watch the replay

Success

Reached Low Earth Orbit

The second stage shut down at T+8:39.

Landed

B1077 Landed

The first stage landed on Just Read the Instructions, on its 12th flight.

Worldwide

74th

orbital launch attempt in 2024

SpaceX

40th

launch this year

Launch Complex 39A

9th

launch from this pad this year

Pad turnaround

9 d 22 h

since the pad's previous launch

Replay

Replay: SpaceX Starlink Group 6-51

The Flight Plan

Planned times, from liftoff at 9:26 PM UTC. The result is at the top of the page.

Countdown9

T−38:008:48 PMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:008:51 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:008:51 PMStart of propelland loading
T−16:009:10 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:009:19 PMStart of engine chilling
T−1:009:25 PMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−1:009:25 PMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:459:25 PMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:039:25 PMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Show the countdown (9 steps)

T−38:008:48 PMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:008:51 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:008:51 PMStart of propelland loading
T−16:009:10 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:009:19 PMStart of engine chilling
T−1:009:25 PMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−1:009:25 PMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:459:25 PMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:039:25 PMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Ascent6

T+0:009:26 PMFirst upwards movement of the rocket
T+1:129:27 PMMaximum dynamic pressure
T+2:269:28 PMCut-off of the main engine
T+2:299:28 PMSeparation of the second stage from the first
T+2:369:28 PMFirst start of the second engine
T+2:569:28 PMSeparation of the payload fairing

Booster Return4

T+6:099:32 PMStart of the atmospheric entry burn
T+6:339:32 PMEnd of the atmospheric entry burn
T+8:019:34 PMStart of the first stage landing burn
T+8:249:34 PMLanding of the first stage

Second Stage and Payload4

T+8:399:34 PMFirst cut-off of the second engine
T+54:0410:20 PMSecond start of the second engine
T+54:0610:20 PMSecond cut-off of the second engine
T+1:05:1310:31 PMDeployment of the Starlink stack from the rocket

Mission

A batch of 23 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.

Launch Provider

SpaceX

Commercial · United States of America · Founded 2002 · CEO Elon Musk

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., known as SpaceX, is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX operates from many pads, on the East Coast of the US they operate from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and historic LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. They also operate from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, usually for polar launches. Another launch site is being developed at Boca Chica, Texas.

Launches

742

Successful

727

98%

Landings

687

of 715

Upcoming

136

scheduled

FliesFalcon Starship Dragon

All SpaceX launches Website Wikipedia

Updates

Apr 17 · 11:18 PM
Launch success.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 17 · 9:26 PM
Liftoff.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 17 · 9:19 PM
Unofficial Re-stream by SPACE AFFAIRS has started
Launch Library 2
Apr 17 · 6:17 AM
Launch window accurate to the second
Nosu
Apr 16 · 9:37 PM
Setting GO
Nosu

Show earlier updates

Apr 16 · 12:03 PM
Weather 90%
Nosu
Apr 13 · 3:03 AM
Assigning launch pad.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 12 · 4:49 PM
Updated launch window.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 11 · 1:16 PM
Adding window opening time
Nosu
Apr 11 · 1:24 AM
Targeting NET April 17 UTC per NOTAM F1372/24 and A1244/24.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 28 · 1:41 AM
Adding launch.
Cosmic_Penguin

Falcon 9 Block 5

Vehicle history

Height

70m

Diameter

3.6m

To low Earth orbit

22,800kg

Liftoff thrust

7,607kN

Space Launch Now for iOS and Android

Notifications before every launch you follow, live countdowns on your home screen and watch, and webcasts as they start.

See what's in the app

Scan to open on your phone

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SpaceXLaunch SuccessfulCommunications

Starlink Group 6‑51

Falcon 9 Block 5

Launched Wed, Apr 17 · 9:26 PM UTC2024-04-17 21:26 UTCLaunch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

Reached orbit
Booster landed on Just Read the Instructions

Follow SpaceX in the app Watch the replay

Success

Reached Low Earth Orbit

The second stage shut down at T+8:39.

Landed

B1077 Landed

The first stage landed on Just Read the Instructions, on its 12th flight.

Worldwide

74th

orbital launch attempt in 2024

SpaceX

40th

launch this year

Launch Complex 39A

9th

launch from this pad this year

Pad turnaround

9 d 22 h

since the pad's previous launch

Replay

Replay: SpaceX Starlink Group 6-51

The Flight Plan

Planned times, from liftoff at 9:26 PM UTC. The result is at the top of the page.

Countdown9

T−38:008:48 PMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:008:51 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:008:51 PMStart of propelland loading
T−16:009:10 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:009:19 PMStart of engine chilling
T−1:009:25 PMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−1:009:25 PMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:459:25 PMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:039:25 PMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Show the countdown (9 steps)

T−38:008:48 PMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:008:51 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:008:51 PMStart of propelland loading
T−16:009:10 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:009:19 PMStart of engine chilling
T−1:009:25 PMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−1:009:25 PMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:459:25 PMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:039:25 PMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Ascent6

T+0:009:26 PMFirst upwards movement of the rocket
T+1:129:27 PMMaximum dynamic pressure
T+2:269:28 PMCut-off of the main engine
T+2:299:28 PMSeparation of the second stage from the first
T+2:369:28 PMFirst start of the second engine
T+2:569:28 PMSeparation of the payload fairing

Booster Return4

T+6:099:32 PMStart of the atmospheric entry burn
T+6:339:32 PMEnd of the atmospheric entry burn
T+8:019:34 PMStart of the first stage landing burn
T+8:249:34 PMLanding of the first stage

Second Stage and Payload4

T+8:399:34 PMFirst cut-off of the second engine
T+54:0410:20 PMSecond start of the second engine
T+54:0610:20 PMSecond cut-off of the second engine
T+1:05:1310:31 PMDeployment of the Starlink stack from the rocket

Mission

A batch of 23 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.

Launch Provider

SpaceX

Commercial · United States of America · Founded 2002 · CEO Elon Musk

Launches

742

Successful

727

98%

Landings

687

of 715

Upcoming

136

scheduled

FliesFalcon Starship Dragon

All SpaceX launches Website Wikipedia

Updates

Apr 17 · 11:18 PM
Launch success.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 17 · 9:26 PM
Liftoff.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 17 · 9:19 PM
Unofficial Re-stream by SPACE AFFAIRS has started
Launch Library 2
Apr 17 · 6:17 AM
Launch window accurate to the second
Nosu
Apr 16 · 9:37 PM
Setting GO
Nosu

Show earlier updates

Apr 16 · 12:03 PM
Weather 90%
Nosu
Apr 13 · 3:03 AM
Assigning launch pad.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 12 · 4:49 PM
Updated launch window.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 11 · 1:16 PM
Adding window opening time
Nosu
Apr 11 · 1:24 AM
Targeting NET April 17 UTC per NOTAM F1372/24 and A1244/24.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 28 · 1:41 AM
Adding launch.
Cosmic_Penguin

Falcon 9 Block 5

Vehicle history

Height

70m

Diameter

3.6m

To low Earth orbit

22,800kg

Liftoff thrust

7,607kN

Next From Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center schedule

NET2026

USSF-75SpaceX · Falcon Heavy · Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USAGeostationary OrbitTo be determinedNET 2026 Dec—NET

Griffin Mission OneSpaceX · Falcon Heavy · Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USALunar OrbitTo be determinedNET December

Space Launch Now for iOS and Android

Notifications before every launch you follow, live countdowns on your home screen and watch, and webcasts as they start.

See what's in the app

Scan to open on your phone

Starlink Group 6‑51

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return4

Second Stage and Payload4

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

Starlink Group 6‑51

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return4

Second Stage and Payload4

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

Next From Kennedy Space Center

Next From Kennedy Space Center

Starlink Group 6‑51

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return4

Second Stage and Payload4

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

Never Miss a Launch.

Starlink Group 6‑51

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return4

Second Stage and Payload4

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

Next From Kennedy Space Center

Never Miss a Launch.

Next From Kennedy Space Center