Jan 07, 2014 04:58 PM EST
SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 Rocket Carrying Thaicom 6 Satellite

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Jan. 6, to reach a satellite drop-off location for Thai satellite operator Thaicom.

The rocket launched at 5:06 p.m. and headed towards the satellite's drop-off location some 55,000 miles above Earth, according to Reuters.

From there, the 6,649-pound Thaicom 6 satellite will lower itself to around 22,300 miles above Earth, and move the angle of its orbit so that it can permanently be station to provide HD television to customers in Thailand and other select locations.

The satellite was built by Orbital Sciences Corp, which is based out of Virginia. It is equipped to provide other services for people located in Africa, and South Asia.

Thaicom 6 satellite cost around $160 million, when including launch services and insurance, according to Reuters.

This was the second launch in a little over a month for Space Exploration Technologies, which is more commonly referred to as SpaceX.

Last month, the company launched its first commercial communications satellite, and has sold about 50 commercial launches worth $4 billion, according to Reuters.

At least 25 percent of the launches are for NASA, which has hired SpaceX and Orbital Sciences, to take cargo to the International Space Station.

The ISS is located approximately 250 miles above earth.

The next SpaceX flight will take place in February, according to Reuters.

SpaceX was founded by CEO Elon Musk, who also runs Tesla.

See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?

 PREVIOUS POST
NEXT POST 

EDITOR'S PICK    

Hyundai to Invest $16.1 Billion for EV Business; Sets Annual Sales Goal of 1.87M Electric Cars by 2030

World's Most Expensive and Most Heavily-optioned Porsche 928 GTS is Coming Home to the U.S.

Major Boost as Tesla Giga Berlin Facility in Final Phase of Approval Process; Delivery Event Set This Month

Audi Looking for e-tron Electric Vehicles to Spur Car Brand's Growth in India in 2022

Toyota Offers Free EV Charging to Owners of 2023 bZ4X After Partnership Agreement with EVgo

2022 Suzuki Baleno Finally Unveiled in India: What are the Specs and Features of this City Car?