SpaceX Conducts Static Fire Test Before Falcon 9 Launch

Dec 30, 2013 10:20 AM EST | Matt Mercuro

SpaceX has announced its first launch of 2014 will take place on Jan. 3, according to USA Today.

The a private space transport company will launch its Falcon 9 rocket with Thaicom Plc's 6 TV satellite at approximately 5:50 p.m.

The launch has an open window until 7:17 p.m. that night, according to the California-based company.

SpaceX also said it completed a successful static fire test on Dec. 29, which involved putting the vehicle and launch pad systems through the full countdown process without firing up Falcon 9's engines.

The company, which was founded by CEO Elon Musk, is now busy checking the data collected during the test.

"Static fire was today (Dec. 28) and it went well," said SpaceX spokesperson Emily Shanklin to NASASpaceFlight.com. "Still reviewing data but all looks good."

Thaicom 6 will give satellite television access to South and Southeast Asia and Southern Africa, according to USA Today.

The satellite weighs approximately 7,300 lbs. and was built by Orbital Sciences Corp. It will be located at 78.5 degrees East Longitude, according to  NASASpaceFlight.com.

The satellite is expected to last approximately 15 years.

Thaicom is a sister company of Shin Corp, which is regarded as the biggest telecommunications company throughout Thailand, according to USA Today.

SpaceX's headquarters is located in Los Angeles.

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