Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) successfully launched the JCSAT-16 commercial communications satellite and landed the first stage Falcon 9 rocket on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean early Sunday morning.
The JCSAT-16 is a Space Systems Loral (SSL) telecommunications satellite carrying Ku-band and Ka-Band transponders and is meant to function as an in-orbit back-up for the Tokyo, Japan-based SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation’s satellite television services.
The company offers video distribution and data transfer communications services in the Asia, Russia, Oceania, Middle East, and North America regions.
The Falcon 9 delivered the JCSAT-16 to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).
Following the successful first stage launch, the Falcon 9 completed its secondary-mission objective of landing on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship on station in the Atlantic Ocean. Before the launch, SpaceX said “given this mission’s GTO destination, the first-stage will be subject to extreme velocities and re-entry heating, making a successful landing challenging.”
The launch occurred at 1:26am ET on Sunday morning at Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. It occurred at the beginning of a two hour launch window.The satellite was successfully deployed about 32 minutes after liftoff.
“I am very proud of the entire Space Coast team. Their flawless work made this mission a success,” Col. Walt Jackim, vice commander and mission launch decision authority at the 45th Space Wing, said in a statement.
“Today’s launch reflects a superb collaborative effort between commercial launch providers, allied customers, and U.S. Air Force range and safety resources,” he added.