SpaceX tied a personal best of 18 launches this year yesterday afternoon with the launch of the Es’hail 2 communication satellite by sending it to geostationary transfer orbit.
The Falcon 9 rocket took of from Kennedy Space Center in florida at 3:46 EST. The satellite separated 32 minutes later from the rocket. This marks the third time that the Falcon 9 booster launched and landed perfectly over the Atlantic Ocean.
The satellite carries Ku-band capacity for television broadcasting and Ka-band capacity for connectivity to businesses and governments. It also allows for Radio’s first geostationary communication. It will most likely be used for anti-jamming over the middle east, as that is where jamming is most common.
SpaceX is aiming for 22 total launches this year, meaning only 4 left. All remaining 2018 missions will use Falcon 9 rockets. The next of which will be a resupply mission to the International Space station.
Yes! This is incredible! Will the resupply mission be done with a Dragon 2, or just the Dragon?