SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch From Cape Canaveral Set For August 14, Launch Window Opens At 1:26 a.m.
By KSC // August 13, 2016
carrying JCSAT-16 communications satellite
BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on August 14 carrying the JCSAT-16 communications satellite for Tokyo’s SKY Perfect JSAT.
The launch is slated for 1:26 a.m.
Weather meteorologists give the launch a 90 percent chance of favorable conditions, according to the Air Force’s 45th Weather Squadron.
This satellite supports existing services in the Ku- and Ka-band for the Japanese market, enabling more stable satellite services.
Falcon 9 is SpaceX’s two-stage rocket manufactured to successfully transport satellites and their Dragon spacecraft into orbit.
Currently, the only rocket fully designed and developed in the 21st century, Falcon 9 delivers payloads to space aboard the Dragon spacecraft or inside a composite fairing.
With a minimal number of separation events and nine first-stage Merlin engines, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is designed so that even if two of the engines shut down, the rocket can still operate.
In 2012, SpaceX became the first commercial company to rendezvous with the International Space Station utilizing Falcon 9 and Dragon. Although these flights have not transported crew, SpaceX is working toward their goal of transporting astronauts to space in Crew Dragon.
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