SpaceX conducts engine test fire for communications satellite launch (members only)

The quartet touched down at the Launch and Landing Facility around 1:45 p.m. EST (1845 UTC). They’re set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Friday, March 1, at 12:04 a.m.

Two ion-driven communications satellites launched from Cape Canaveral on March 1 have begun novel maneuvers using electric propulsion to reach operating posts 22,300 miles over the equator.

The mission will the final Falcon 9 flight from California before the end of the year. Liftoff from pad 4 East happened at 5:58:30 p.m. PST (8:58:30 p.m. EST, 0158:30 UTC).