Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 7-18 launch

SpaceXLaunch SuccessfulCommunications

Starlink Group 7‑18

Name: Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 7-18
Start: 2024-04-02T02:30:00Z
Location: Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Falcon 9 Block 5

Launched Tue, Apr 2 · 2:30 AM UTC2024-04-02 02:30 UTCSpace Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Reached orbit
Booster landed on Of Course I Still Love You

Follow SpaceX in the app Watch the replay

Success

Reached Low Earth Orbit

The second stage shut down at T+8:37.

Landed

B1071 Landed

The first stage landed on Of Course I Still Love You, on its 15th flight.

Worldwide

63rd

orbital launch attempt in 2024

SpaceX

33rd

launch this year

Space Launch Complex 4E

11th

launch from this pad this year

Pad turnaround

14 d

since the pad's previous launch

Replay

Replay: SpaceX Starlink Group 7-18

The Flight Plan

Planned times, from liftoff at 2:30 AM UTC. The result is at the top of the page.

Countdown9

T−38:001:52 AMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:001:55 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:001:55 AMStart of propelland loading
T−16:002:14 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:002:23 AMStart of engine chilling
T−1:002:29 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−1:002:29 AMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−0:452:29 AMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:032:29 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Show the countdown (9 steps)

T−38:001:52 AMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:001:55 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:001:55 AMStart of propelland loading
T−16:002:14 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:002:23 AMStart of engine chilling
T−1:002:29 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−1:002:29 AMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−0:452:29 AMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:032:29 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Ascent6

T+0:002:30 AMFirst upwards movement of the rocket
T+1:122:31 AMMaximum dynamic pressure
T+2:252:32 AMCut-off of the main engine
T+2:292:32 AMSeparation of the second stage from the first
T+2:362:32 AMFirst start of the second engine
T+3:052:33 AMSeparation of the payload fairing

Booster Return4

T+6:082:36 AMStart of the atmospheric entry burn
T+6:342:36 AMEnd of the atmospheric entry burn
T+7:562:37 AMStart of the first stage landing burn
T+8:192:38 AMLanding of the first stage

Second Stage and Payload4

T+8:372:38 AMFirst cut-off of the second engine
T+53:243:23 AMSecond start of the second engine
T+53:263:23 AMSecond cut-off of the second engine
T+1:02:183:32 AMDeployment of the Starlink stack from the rocket

Mission

A batch of 22 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 2 · 3:40 AM
Launch success.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 2 · 2:30 AM
Liftoff.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 2 · 2:21 AM
Unofficial Webcast by SPACE AFFAIRS has started
Launch Library 2
Mar 31 · 6:03 PM
Rescheduled for April 2nd UTC.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 31 · 9:17 AM
NET April 1 UTC, weather pending.
Cosmic_Penguin

Show earlier updates

Mar 31 · 5:26 AM
Scrubbed for the day due to weather; next attempt TBD.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 31 · 5:08 AM
New T-0 (06:30 UTC)
hitura-nobad
Mar 31 · 4:55 AM
New T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 31 · 4:10 AM
New T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 31 · 3:01 AM
New T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 31 · 1:49 AM
New T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 29 · 6:58 PM
launch delayed by 1 day
hitura-nobad
Mar 29 · 3:55 AM
Launch time is to the second.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 29 · 3:12 AM
Confirmed launching March 30 UTC.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 29 · 3:10 AM
Scrubbed for the day.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 29 · 12:11 AM
New T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 28 · 6:33 PM
Launch time is to the second.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 27 · 11:21 PM
GO for launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 27 · 12:42 AM
Targeting NET March 29 UTC per NOTAM B0253/24 and A0419/24.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 23 · 3:52 AM
Added launch window per marine navigation warnings.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 21 · 3:46 AM
Targeting NET March 28 UTC per NOTAM R0055/24 and A0406/24.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 8 · 5:26 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 7‑18

Falcon 9 Block 5

Launched Tue, Apr 2 · 2:30 AM UTC2024-04-02 02:30 UTCSpace Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Reached orbit
Booster landed on Of Course I Still Love You

Follow SpaceX in the app Watch the replay

Success

Reached Low Earth Orbit

The second stage shut down at T+8:37.

Landed

B1071 Landed

The first stage landed on Of Course I Still Love You, on its 15th flight.

Worldwide

63rd

orbital launch attempt in 2024

SpaceX

33rd

launch this year

Space Launch Complex 4E

11th

launch from this pad this year

Pad turnaround

14 d

since the pad's previous launch

Replay

Replay: SpaceX Starlink Group 7-18

The Flight Plan

Planned times, from liftoff at 2:30 AM UTC. The result is at the top of the page.

Countdown9

T−38:001:52 AMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:001:55 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:001:55 AMStart of propelland loading
T−16:002:14 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:002:23 AMStart of engine chilling
T−1:002:29 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−1:002:29 AMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−0:452:29 AMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:032:29 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Show the countdown (9 steps)

T−38:001:52 AMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:001:55 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:001:55 AMStart of propelland loading
T−16:002:14 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:002:23 AMStart of engine chilling
T−1:002:29 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−1:002:29 AMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−0:452:29 AMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:032:29 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Ascent6

T+0:002:30 AMFirst upwards movement of the rocket
T+1:122:31 AMMaximum dynamic pressure
T+2:252:32 AMCut-off of the main engine
T+2:292:32 AMSeparation of the second stage from the first
T+2:362:32 AMFirst start of the second engine
T+3:052:33 AMSeparation of the payload fairing

Booster Return4

T+6:082:36 AMStart of the atmospheric entry burn
T+6:342:36 AMEnd of the atmospheric entry burn
T+7:562:37 AMStart of the first stage landing burn
T+8:192:38 AMLanding of the first stage

Second Stage and Payload4

T+8:372:38 AMFirst cut-off of the second engine
T+53:243:23 AMSecond start of the second engine
T+53:263:23 AMSecond cut-off of the second engine
T+1:02:183:32 AMDeployment of the Starlink stack from the rocket

Mission

A batch of 22 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 2 · 3:40 AM
Launch success.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 2 · 2:30 AM
Liftoff.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 2 · 2:21 AM
Unofficial Webcast by SPACE AFFAIRS has started
Launch Library 2
Mar 31 · 6:03 PM
Rescheduled for April 2nd UTC.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 31 · 9:17 AM
NET April 1 UTC, weather pending.
Cosmic_Penguin

Show earlier updates

Mar 31 · 5:26 AM
Scrubbed for the day due to weather; next attempt TBD.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 31 · 5:08 AM
New T-0 (06:30 UTC)
hitura-nobad
Mar 31 · 4:55 AM
New T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 31 · 4:10 AM
New T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 31 · 3:01 AM
New T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 31 · 1:49 AM
New T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 29 · 6:58 PM
launch delayed by 1 day
hitura-nobad
Mar 29 · 3:55 AM
Launch time is to the second.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 29 · 3:12 AM
Confirmed launching March 30 UTC.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 29 · 3:10 AM
Scrubbed for the day.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 29 · 12:11 AM
New T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 28 · 6:33 PM
Launch time is to the second.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 27 · 11:21 PM
GO for launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 27 · 12:42 AM
Targeting NET March 29 UTC per NOTAM B0253/24 and A0419/24.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 23 · 3:52 AM
Added launch window per marine navigation warnings.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 21 · 3:46 AM
Targeting NET March 28 UTC per NOTAM R0055/24 and A0406/24.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 8 · 5:26 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 Vandenberg SFB

Vandenberg SFB schedule

Oct30Fri

Starlink Group 15-18SpaceX · Falcon 9 Block 5 · Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USALow Earth OrbitGo for launch4:02 AM UTC Nov2Mon

USSF-432SpaceX · Falcon 9 Block 5 · Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USALow Earth OrbitGo for launch1:56 AM UTC

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 7‑18

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return4

Second Stage and Payload4

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

Starlink Group 7‑18

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return4

Second Stage and Payload4

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

Next From Vandenberg SFB

Next From Vandenberg SFB

Starlink Group 7‑18

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 7‑18

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return4

Second Stage and Payload4

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

Next From Vandenberg SFB

Never Miss a Launch.

Next From Vandenberg SFB