Falcon 9 – Page 148 – Spaceflight Now

Boeing’s first two all-electric satellites ready for launch

March 1, 2015 Stephen Clark

A new class of Boeing-built spacecraft will fly into orbit for the first time Sunday aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, combining Boeing’s electric propulsion technology with SpaceX’s bargain launch prices to send up communications satellites at a fraction of the typical cost.

Photos: Satellites readied for tandem launch on Falcon 9

February 28, 2015 Stephen Clark

Two communications spacecraft built by Boeing and owned by Eutelsat and Asia Broadcast Satellite will ride a Falcon 9 rocket into orbit Sunday, and these pictures show the satellites stacked together and prepared for liftoff from Cape Canaveral.

Falcon 9 launch timeline with Eutelsat 115 West B and ABS 3A

February 28, 2015 Stephen Clark

Follow the key events of the Falcon 9 rocket’s ascent into space from Cape Canaveral with the Eutelsat 115 West B and ABS 3A communications satellite.

Live coverage: SpaceX Falcon 9 launches

February 28, 2015 Stephen Clark

SpaceX has launched its third Falcon 9 of the year. The rocket is carrying a pair of communications payloads for Eutelsat and Asia Broadcast Satellite.

SES satellites could be first to launch from Texas spaceport

February 25, 2015 Stephen Clark

Two communications satellites owned by SES are booked to fly into orbit — possibly from South Texas — on a pair of Falcon 9 rockets in 2017, giving SpaceX two payloads that could be assigned to launch from the new commercial spaceport, officials said Wednesday.

Falcon Heavy rocket hangar rises at launch pad 39A

February 25, 2015 Stephen Clark

SpaceX began erecting a new hangar at a former space shuttle launch pad in Florida last week, moving the historic facility closer to launching astronauts again.

100th Merlin 1D engine flies on Falcon 9 rocket

February 22, 2015 Stephen Clark

Depending on how you count it, SpaceX launched its 100th kerosene-fueled Merlin 1D rocket engine on a Falcon 9 rocket Feb. 11, underscoring what it says is an accelerated flight regime for the centerpiece of the company’s propulsion shop.

SES signs up for launch with more powerful Falcon 9 engines

February 20, 2015 Stephen Clark

A communications payload owned by the Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES will ride the first launch of an upgraded Falcon 9 rocket in mid-2015, SES officials said Friday.

SpaceX leases property for landing pads at Cape Canaveral, Vandenberg

February 17, 2015 Stephen Clark

SpaceX plans to set up landing pads on abandoned launch sites at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Air Force Base in a step toward the company’s vision for eventual recovery and reuse of rocket boosters.

Photos: Falcon 9 soars into space at sunset

February 12, 2015 Stephen Clark

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket took off from Cape Canaveral on its 15th flight just before sunset Wednesday, putting on a spectacular sky show en route to space with a NOAA satellite to measure the solar wind.