On Sunday, December 23, at 5:51 a.m. PST, Elon Musk’s SpaceX successfully launched the United States Air Force’s first Global Positioning System III space vehicle (SV) from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The website of SpaceX reported that.
The satellite was deployed to its intended orbit approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes after the liftoff. Due to mission requirements, SpaceX did not attempt to land Falcon 9’s first stage after launch.
SpaceX launched the Falcon 9 rocket, marking its final launch of the year, carrying a navigation satellite for the U.S. Air Force. The launch was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but was delayed due to technical concerns and weather conditions.
The 229-feet-tall rocket lifted off at 8:51 a.m. ET, climbing straight away from the Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, reported CBS News. This is the 20th major rocket launch from Florida this year.
FINAL LAUNCH: SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket, marking its final launch of the year, carrying a navigation satellite for the U.S. Air Force. The launch was originally scheduled for Tues., but was delayed due to technical concerns and weather conditions. https://t.co/U3WIedOn71 pic.twitter.com/vQaIRKb5kF— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) December 23, 2018
Although there wasn’t enough propellant for the landing, the rocket’s first stage was successful with the single engine powering; the Falcon 9’s second stage ignited as planned. Two planned “burns” led it into preliminary orbit and an hour later, it completed the launch phase of the mission.