What's Next For SpaceX This Thursday? Agency To Launch It's Next Falcon 9 Rocket To Send Thai Communications Satellite Into Orbit
The California-based space agency, SpaceX is all set to send its next Falcon 9 rocket into space this coming Thursday. The latest reports suggest that after the first successful launch of the rocket last month, the space transport service company is planning to send the Thai communications satellite into space.
Florida Politics reported that the upcoming SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launch will take place in daylight as opposed to the earlier Japanese communications satellite launch, which was conducted in darkness earlier this year.
Besides, there are few reports about how the SpaceX Falcon 9 will attempt to successfully perform the booster landing act. It is reported that after separating from the rocket's upper stage, the Falcon 9 booster will plunge towards an unpiloted SpaceX drone ship, which would be floating offshore in the Atlantic Ocean, reported Florida Today.
The payload is reported to be Orbital ATK's Thaicom 8 satellite, which is nearly 7,000-pound, is reported to provide TV channels and Internet service to Thailand, India and parts of Africa. It is also reported that the satellite would be placed around 22,300 miles above the equator, from where it will continuously transmit signals to achieve the set goals.
Meanwhile, WTSP reported that the upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 launch is the space agency's fifth attempt this year, since its debut six years back in 2010. The company witnessed only one failure last summer when the Falcon 9 rocket was destroyed just minutes after its launch.
Furthermore, the Air Force meteorologists have predicted that there is 90 percent chance that the weather conditions would remain favorable for the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch event. The scientists have also said that there is a small chance that the launch event will be interrupted by the strong winds.
In addition to the Thursday launch reports, WKMG Orlando reported that SpaceX has also planned to test and fire up its Falcon 9 rocket's nine Merlin main engines today before the actual launch attempt, in order to check for any loose ends.
The reports suggested that SpaceX has planned to launch its actual Falcon 9 rocket at 5.40 p.m. on Thursday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. But, any further, details have not been revealed by either SpaceX or Thaicom.