Arguably the most exciting aspect of SpaceX’s most recent launch was watching the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket return to Landing Zone 1 (especially with the split-screen footage). Unfortunately, Monday night’s SpaceX launch won’t feature that same excitement, because this Falcon 9 rocket won’t have enough fuel to make a return trip.
SpaceX Set to Launch Final Inmarsat Global Xpress Satellite
Key Takeaways:
- SpaceX is launching the Inmarsat-5 Flight 4 communications satellite, the fourth and final in the Global Xpress system for global high-speed broadband.
- Due to the satellite's heavy weight (13,400-lbs.), the Falcon 9 rocket will use all its fuel for thrust and will not return for a landing.
- The launch is scheduled for Monday night at 7:21 p.m. ET from Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39A.
- Despite this being an expendable mission, SpaceX anticipates such non-reusable launches will become infrequent in the future.
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