SpaceX kept up their torrid pace of launches this afternoon when it launched the GSAT-20 for New Space India Ltd. (NSIL) from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 1:31 PM ET under a nearly completely overcast sky.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
This is a very busy time SpaceX. It has launched three Falcon 9 missions over the past two days, and also plans to launch Starship Heavy on its sixth test flight from Texas tomorrow.
About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, Booster B1073 successfully touched down on the SpaceX droneship ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’, completing its part of the mission. At roughly the same time as the first stage touchdown, Falcon 9’s second stage achieved orbit.
At 2:06 PM ET, SpaceX confirmed the successful deployment of the payload, concluding another successful Falcon 9 mission for the company. Today marked the 114th successful Falcon 9 mission in 2024.
Payload
Courtesy: ISRO
The GSAT-20 satellite was built by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) for New Space India Ltd. (NSIL). NSIL is the commercial arm of ISRO, with the primary responsibility of enabling Indian industries to take up space-related activities.
The GSAT-20 satellite is a 4,700 kilogram geostationary Ka-band high-throughput communications satellite with 32 spot beams and an approximately Gigabit per second throughput. It is designed to cover all of India, with a special emphasis on providing connectivity for Northeastern India. It is slated for a 14-year service life after commissioning.
ISRO opted for SpaceX to launch GSAT 20 because India’s indigenous heavy rocket, the Launch Vehicle Mark 3, lacks the capability to launch a satellite of this size and weight to a geostationary transfer orbit.
By The Numbers
- 432nd SpaceX launch all time
- 112th launch rocket launch this year for SpaceX
- 430th launch all-time for SpaceX
- 273rd launch from Space Launch Complex 40, all-time
- 374th Falcon Family Booster landing
- 87th landing on A Shortfall Of Gravitas
- 45th consecutive successful landing for a Falcon family booster
Launch Replay
Next Launch
SpaceX plans to launch the Starlink 6-66 mission with a Falcon 9 carrying more Starlink satellites for Group 6 on Thursday, November 21st.
- Date: NET November 21, 2024
- Organization: SpaceX
- Mission: Starlink 6-66
- Rocket: Falcon 9
- Launch Site: Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral
- Launch Window: 10:53 AM – 2:53 PM EST
- Payload: Starlink satellites
Keep in mind that launch dates and times change often. Launch attempts can be scrubbed anytime due to weather, technical reasons, or range conditions.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
Author: Charles Boyer
NASA kid from Cocoa Beach, FL, born of Project Apollo parents and family. I’m a writer and photographer sharing the story of spaceflight from the Eastern Range here in Florida.
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