SpaceX had to delay the launch of Falcon 9’s first geostationary transfer mission until Dec. 3, with a launch window set for 5:37 p.m. EST, 2:37 p.m. PST. The live stream will begin at 5 p.m. EST, 2 p.m. PST.
It was supposed to be the Space Exploration Technologies’ first commercial mission but technical glitches on Nov. 25 and on Thanksgiving delayed the launch until Monday. On Twitter, Elon Musk said the first delay was due to pressure fluctuations while the second delay was due to slower-than-expected thrust buildup. After Nov. 28, SpaceX announced a third attempt for Dec. 2 but moved the launch back to Dec. 3 for precautionary reasons.
Monday’s delay was due to rocket anomalies and Musk said SpaceX will spend Monday to recheck the rocket engine. As reported by Reuters, the Falcon 9 has a perfect flight record, two resupply missions to the International Space Station, the Cassiope satellite launch and three test flights. The three launches have been to low-Earth orbit and the launch of the Canadian Space Agency’s Cassiope satellite was the first for the upgraded Falcon 9 rocket, now equipped with Merlin 1D engines.
The seventh Falcon 9 launch would be its first geostationary transfer orbit mission and its first commercial mission. The rocket is carrying the SES-8 telecommunications satellite, ordered by SES World Skies and was manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corp. The satellite would serve South Asia and Indo-China while boosting existing capabilities. The SES-8 launch is also the first commercial satellite launch from Cape Canaveral in four years, reports Reuters.
SpaceX has several commercial contracts in addition to its ISS resupply contract with NASA. Reuters reports the company has 50 scheduled launches totaling close to $4 billion and the launch of the SES-8 satellite is worth $55 million. In addition to supply and commercial missions, SpaceX hopes to have manned missions using the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft.
The Falcon 9 SES-8 launch live stream can be viewed below, beginning at 5 p.m. EST, 2 p.m. PST.
SpaceX SES-8 Launch Take Four Live Stream: Falcon 9 Set To Launch After Three Delays [WATCH HERE]
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