SpaceX is targeting no sooner than Wednesday, July twenty sixth, for the launch of the Jupiter 3/Echostar XXIV communications satellite from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The launch is currently targeted for 11:04 p.m. ET (03:04 UTC on the twenty seventh).
Teams accomplished the launch readiness review, and we’re targeting Wednesday, July 26 for Falcon Heavy’s launch of the @HughesConnects JUPITER 3/@EchoStar XXIV satellite from Launch Complex 39A in Florida pic.twitter.com/hXq3IxQHtd
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 24, 2023
This satellite might be the heaviest payload ever launched to geostationary transfer orbit. The satellite, built by Maxar, weighs in at 9,200 kg (20,282 lbs) and features 14 solar arrays that, once deployed, will span 127 feet. The satellite will have the option to handle 500+ gigabytes of capability and supply quickens to 100 megabytes per second. The satellite’s final orbit might be at 95 degrees west latitude and 22,300 miles above the equator over the Americas.
The satellite was recently flown in via an Antonov AN-224 from California, where it landed at Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility where it was then unloaded and transferred to the payload processing facility and encapsulated into the Falcon Heavy fairing and, if not already, might be attached to the Falcon Heavy.
Falcon Heavy within the hangar at LC-39A in Florida pic.twitter.com/EAOp1Nbvqb
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 21, 2023
This Falcon Heavy mission was originally rumored to have a dual droneship landing, nonetheless, SpaceX switched to have the side boosters perform a return to the landing site following separation from the middle core booster. The middle core, B1079, for this booster is on its first and last flight, as it would be expended to get probably the most performance and splashdown within the ocean, roughly 1,500 kilometers downrange.
The side boosters for this flight are B1064 and B1065, each having previously supported the USSF-44 and USSF-67 Falcon Heavy missions. The boosters will land about 8 minutes after launch, but when the skies are clear, will create the gorgeous ‘nebula effect’ within the skies because the engine plumes interact within the upper atmosphere after which announce their return with six sonic booms.
The present weather outlook for launch shows an 85 percent likelihood of acceptable weather for launch, nonetheless, if unable to launch, they’ve one other opportunity the subsequent day at the identical time, however the weather has a 70% likelihood of being acceptable.
Watch the launch on the SpaceX YouTube channel!