SpaceX achieved a successful launch of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Intelsat Galaxy 37 communications satellite into space from Florida. The 229-foot rocket was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, putting the satellite into geostationary orbit.
The Galaxy 37 satellite separated from the launch vehicle about half an hour after liftoff, and signal acquisition was confirmed by Intelsat. Intelsat’s CEO, Dave Wajsgras, expressed his satisfaction with the successful launch, completing their comprehensive Galaxy fleet refresh plan.
The Falcon 9 booster, on its sixth flight, returned to Earth and was retrieved by SpaceX’s Just Read The Instructions drone barge. Both fairing halves were also planned to be retrieved with the help of Bob the drone ship.
The Maxar-built Galaxy 37 satellite is expected to become operational later this year and will be positioned at 127 degrees west. It will provide North American capacity for television media and telecommunication networks, as well as continuity for mobility, network, and U.S. government customers.
The successful launch set a new commercial satellite record for Intelsat, marking the eighth geostationary satellite launched within a 10-month period.
Intelsat is a multinational satellite services company based in Luxembourg.
