Es'hail-2 (Falcon 9) 15 November 2018 |
Space Launch Complex 39A Kennedy Space Center |
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Es’hail-2 communications satellite into orbit for the Qatar Satellite Company Es’hailSat from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A at 3:46 p.m. on 15 November 2018. Falcon 9’s first stage for the Es’hail-2 mission previously supported the Telstar 19 VANTAGE mission in July 2018. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage landed on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. About the Es’hail-2 satellite from the SpaceX press release: The Es’hail-2 satellite is based on the Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO) DS 2000 satellite bus, a proven, modular platform with high power capability and flexibility for a broad range of applications. In addition to offering Ku-band resources to support the growing 25.50E / 26.0°E broadcast neighborhood, Es’hail-2 also features multi-transponder Ka-band capacity, providing business and government sectors with secure communications across the Middle East and North Africa region. In partnership with leading service providers, Es’hailSat will offer a portfolio of broadcast and VSAT services to support business growth. The spacecraft’s multi-mission architecture will enable Es’hailSat to respond to demand for the fastest-growing applications in the Middle East and North Africa, including content transfer, broadcast distribution, enterprise communications, and government services. |
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A dark and stormy day due to the passage of a cold front left the launch in doubt due to the weather. |
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Gaseous oxygen vents from the Transporter Erector during the loading of liquid oxygen into the rocket with the weather starting to clear as launch time approached. | |
An opening in the clouds illuminated the pad in bright sunlight while all the surrounding area stayed in dark shadow. |
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The last view of the rocket as it entered the high altitude clouds. |
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Quiet returns to Pad 39A. |
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