SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Goes Vertical Ahead of Tonight’s Launch From Cape Canaveral

By  //  December 16, 2019

launch window opens at 7:10 p.m.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the JCSAT 18/Kacific 1 communications satellite is set to lift off Monday evening, Dec. 16, from launch complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station near the Port. (SpaceX Image)

BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the JCSAT 18/Kacific 1 communications satellite is set to lift off Monday evening, Dec. 16, from launch complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station near the Port.

An 88-minute launch window opens at 7:10 p.m.

The JCSAT 18/Kacific 1 communications satellite, below, jointly owned by SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. of Japan and Kacific Broadband Satellites of Singapore, will provide mobile and broadband services across the Asia-Pacific region.

Following liftoff, the Falcon 9 rocket booster engine will attempt to land on autonomous spaceport drone ship Of Course I Still I Love You stationed in the Atlantic.

Fairing-catching vessels GO Ms. Tree and GO Ms. Chief also have been dispatched and will attempt to snare both halves of the rocket’s fairing in their large nets.

There’s a 90 percent chance of favorable weather at liftoff, with the main concern being cumulus clouds associated with showers moving onshore, according to the 45th Weather Squadron.

Exploration Tower at Port Will Provide Panoramic View of SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch Dec. 16Related Story:
Exploration Tower at Port Will Provide Panoramic View of SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch Dec. 16

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