On Monday, April 27, 2015 at 7:03pm ET, Falcon 9 lifted off from SpaceX's Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying the TurkmenÄlem52E/MonacoSat satellite for Thales Alenia Space. While weather had remained a concern throughout the countdown, weather officers were able to find a window in the clouds and Falcon 9 lifted off without a hitch.
This launch represented Falcon 9's fifth launch in four months and second liftoff in 13 days, beating SpaceX's previous turnaround record by one day.
Approximately 3 minutes into flight, Falcon 9's first and second stages separated. The second stage continued to complete a six-minute burn to reach a parking orbit.
Twenty-six minutes into flight, the second stage ignited for a second time and completed a one-minute burn. The TurkmenÄlem52E/MonacoSat satellite deployed approximately 32 minutes after liftoff into a geosynchronous transfer orbit.Thales Alenia Space soon acquired a signal from the satellite.
Falcon 9's next launch is space station resupply mission, targeted for June 2015.
posted 04-29-2015 12:42 AM
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