SpaceX's Block 5 lands safely, delivers Bangabandhu 1 into orbit: Watch live
New Delhi : After a series of postponed, SpaceX has finally delivered the first Bangladeshi communications satellite, Bangabandhu Satellite-1, into space. It is the first launch of the Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket.
Blasted off successfully on Friday, it was the second launch attempt, SpaceX made for the take off of Block 5 rocket, the final iteration of the Falcon 9.
The upgraded rocket model ensures enhanced reusability and carried a Bangabandhu Satellite-1 into geostationary orbit. It is the first Bangladeshi communications satellite put into space by SpaceX.
The Falcon 9 rocket was launched at 4:14 p.m. ET from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch was scheduled on Thursday, but last minute abort alert compelled the scientists to cancel its launch plans.
However, statements from SpaceX mentioned that the problem was with ground support systems, not the rocket itself.
After launch, the mission achieved a quick succession: a first stage engine cutoff followed by a stage separation, and then a second stage burn and fairing release. Moments later, the second stage cut its burn.
"Second stage engine cutoff confirmed," SpaceX wrote on Twitter. "Second stage and satellite now in coast phase."
Shortly before the second stage separation, the first stage executed a controlled landing back on SpaceX's drone ship in the Atlantic, the company's 25th recovered first stage.
SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk expressed high hopes for Block 5, which he said will be the final version of the Falcon 9.
By the end of 2017, Musk aims to launch two missions with the same rocket in the span of 24 hours. "We expect it to be a mainstay of SpaceX's business," Musk said, "and to complete something of the order of 300 flights before retirement."
