. SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday, and has since launched two more. At 22: 50 Saturday (03., the huge booster took off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. 50 GMT Sun. This is Falcon 9’s 16th launch, and the largest payload it has ever carried. SpaceX has flown three missions in less than 2 months. The company has stated that it won’t attempt to launch the rocket from a boat this time as it did previously. The rocket was topped by two satellites, owned by Boeing and Eutelsat Communications, both from Paris. On Saturday, February 28. the rocket and its payload were vertically launched from the launchpad. Image: SpaceX. These all-electric satellites run on ion propellant. For propulsion, ion thrusters make use of beams made up of ions. The grids are charged with high-speed electrons, which accelerate them. This is similar to a vacuum tube. This acceleration method is very efficient. These satellites are lighter because they don’t need fuel. Michel de Rosen (CEO and Chairman of Eutelsat), was present at Cape Canaveral and said that EUTELSAT 115West B is on its way to space. SpaceX deserves our gratitude for the successful launch. We are pioneering a new age of electric propulsion to orbit raise that will open up opportunities for higher efficiency and greater competitivity. This is another milestone in Eutelsat’s year record of innovation and propels our industry to the next level.” As it rose out of Earth’s atmosphere, its Merlin 1D Merlin engines produced 1.3 million pounds thrust. Image: SpaceX. Satellite ABS 3A (the lighter one of the two) will reach its destination in August 2015.. It will take several weeks for the Eutelsat 115 East B to arrive. They are sent in reverse directions to ensure they don’t collide with each other when they reach space. Telecommunications scientists say they will remain in orbit 35,000 kilometers (22,300 miles) above Earth, and are expected to have an operational life of at least twenty years. Patricio Nordland, Eutelsat Americas CEO, was present at the launch. He stated: “The EUTELSAT 115West B satellite will transform our service to clients by delivering data services including broadband, cellular backuphaul and VSAT solutions. Our footprint will reach beyond Latin America into Canada and Alaska, in addition to providing high-performance C- and Ku-band capacities. SpaceX stated that tonight’s launch “reaffirms our status as the satellite company reference for the Americas”. Its next launch will be in three weeks, and it will take place from Cape Canaveral. SpaceX Video – ABS/Eutelsat-1 Mission.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56. 25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;
