Gary Zhou 
Key Points
- 🚀 SpaceX plans to launch the first batch of V2 Mini Starlinks from the West Coast at 9:09 p.m. PT on July 20, 2023.
- 🛰️ Starlink 6-15 mission is the first time SpaceX will launch Version 2 mini-satellites from the West Coast, featuring 15 V2 mini-satellites with a 43-degree orbital inclination.
- 🚀 The Falcon 9 launching this mission is Booster 1071 on its 10th flight, and it will attempt a landing on the droneship ‘Of Course I Still Love You.’
At 9:09 p.m. PT (04:09 UTC on July 20), SpaceX is scheduled to launch the first batch of V2 Mini Starlink satellites from the West Coast. The launch will occur from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Originally planned for the previous evening, the countdown was halted just 5 seconds before liftoff. SpaceX has not provided a specific reason for the abort. However, during the initial attempt, the launch director paused the countdown due to a “perceived leak in the second stage,” which was audibly captured in the company’s Mission Control Audio stream on YouTube.
SpaceX has confirmed that both the vehicle and payloads are in good condition, and they are still aiming for a launch attempt this evening.
This mission, Starlink 6-15, marks the first time SpaceX will launch the Version 2 mini-satellites from the West Coast. Previously, they had only launched Versions 1 and 1.5. On July 15th, SpaceX launched the last planned V 1.5 satellites.
Unlike V2 missions from the East Coast, which typically launch 21 or 22 satellites at a time, this mission will feature 15 of the V2 mini-satellites. These satellites will be launched to a 43-degree orbital inclination, heading south from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The Falcon 9 rocket assigned to this mission is Booster 1071, embarking on its 10th flight. This booster has previously supported 4 Starlink missions, 2 NRO national security missions, 2 commercial payloads, and 1 NASA science mission. Approximately eight and a half minutes after launch, B1071 will attempt a landing on the droneship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ and then be towed back to the Port of Long Beach.
Don’t miss the exciting launch!
