Jason Rhian

March 10th, 2017

The Falcon 9 that will take EchoStar 23 into orbit conducts a static fire test at LC-39A. Photo Credit: SpaceX

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. On March 9, 2017, SpaceX successfully conducted a static fire test of the Hawthorne, California-based companys Full Thrust Falcon 9 rocket. This is the final milestone in advance of a planned launch set to take place Tuesday, March 14.

If everything goes as planned, the launch window will open at 1:34 a.m. EDT (05:34 GMT). The window closes two and a half hours later at4:04 a.m. EDT (08:04 GMT).

This flight will mark the first time Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center will be used by a commercial launch service provider to send a commercial satelliteto space. Echostar 23is set to be sent intoa geostationary transfer orbit.

Built bySpace Systems/Loral, Gunters Space Page describes the spacecraft as: a very flexible Ku-band satellite capable of providing service from any of eight different orbital slots. Planned for launch in 2016 it is designed to provide service for 15 years or longer. It will utilize SS/Ls flight-proven SSL-1300 spacecraft bus.

Tagged: EchoStar-23 Falcon 9 Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A SpaceX The Range

Jason Rhian spent several years honing his skills with internships at NASA, the National Space Society and other organizations. He has provided content for outlets such as: Aviation Week & Space Technology, Space.com, The Mars Society and Universe Today.

Excerpt from:

Falcon 9 for Echostar 23 conducts static fire test - SpaceFlight Insider