CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla. — SpaceX's Nilesat 301 launch went off successfully Wednesday evening despite some bad weather moving through the area.
What You Need To Know
- SpaceX successfully sends Nilesat 301 satellite into space
- Lift off occurred at 5:05 p.m.
- Scroll down to watch the launch
SpaceX used one of its Falcon 9 rockets to send the Nilesat 301 satellite into orbit from the Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Lift off occurred at 5:04 p.m., right at the start of the 2-hour, 29-minute launch window.
Following the stage separation, the rocket booster will land on the droneship “Just Read the Instructions” that will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Falcon 9 first-stage booster has been used on other missions, including the Inspiration4 and Ax-1 launches.
About the Nilesat 301 satellite
Nilesat is an Egyptian satellite company and Wednesday's planned launch will replace its current Nilesat 201 satellite with the newer Nilesat 301. The Nilesat 301’s life expectancy ends in 2028.
The new 4.1-ton satellite, which has an expected lifetime of 15 years, will provide expanded internet coverage for the company's customers.
“The capabilities of the new satellite also include providing broadband Internet services to cover the Arab Republic of Egypt and remote areas to provide Internet services for new projects, infrastructure projects, new urban communities, and oil fields in the eastern Mediterranean, especially the Zohr field,” company officials said in a press release.
Watch the launch
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