The 5.6-ton spacecraft was created by Airbus Defense and Space for French satellite communications operator Eutelsat SA
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has successfully launched the French telecommunications satellite Eutelsat 36D into orbit. The company announced this on the social network X on the evening of Sunday, March 31.
The Falcon 9 launch vehicle was launched on Saturday at 17:52 East Coast time (Sunday at 00:52 Kiev time) from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral in Florida.
34 minutes after launch, the satellite separated from the second stage of the launch vehicle and began an independent flight.
“Launch to orbit confirmed,” the message said.
The satellite will enter geostationary orbit at an altitude of 36 thousand kilometers using onboard engines within a few months.
The 5.6-ton spacecraft was created by Airbus Defense and Space for French satellite communications operator Eutelsat SA. It is designed to provide telecommunication services covering Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Africa.
The service life of the device is designed for 15 years. It replaces the Eutelsat 36B satellite, which will complete operations this year.
As part of the launch, the Falcon 9’s first multi-stage launch vehicle, which has been used 12 times, made a controlled vertical landing on the Just Read the Instructions offshore drone platform in the Atlantic Ocean.
Also tonight, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket, launching 23 more Starlink satellites into orbit. He also launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Center in Florida.
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/sxq3fRzjeo
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 30, 2024
30 on the 30th! Falcon 9 arrives on Just Read the Instructions droneship, completing our 30th launch and landing of the year and 325th successful Falcon launch overall pic.twitter.com/gEidCsrv2w
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 30, 2024
Earlier, the media reported that SpaceX was building a network of spy satellites for the US intelligence agency. It is hoped that this will allow American intelligence to observe what is happening on Earth.
Also in the United States, an investigation was launched at Elon Musk’s SpaceX into reports of use of the Starlink satellite Internet service by Russian troops in Ukraine.
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Source: korrespondent
I am Ben Stock, a passionate and experienced digital journalist working in the news industry. At the Buna Times, I write articles covering technology developments and related topics. I strive to provide reliable information that my readers can trust. My research skills are top-notch, as well as my ability to craft engaging stories on timely topics with clarity and accuracy.