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UPDATE: Weather Delays SpaceX Launch

DSCOVR, on board SapceX's Falcon 9 waits on the launch pad. Photo: NASA KSC
DSCOVR, on board SapceX's Falcon 9 waits on the launch pad. Photo: NASA KSC

UPDATE: Weather will delay the launch 24 hours.

Original Story:

A Falcon 9 rocket stands ready to launch a broadcast satellite for Tokyo-based satellite operator SKY Perfect J-SAT.

The satellite will provide broadcast and telecommunication to areas of Asia and the Pacific.

SpaceX completed a successful test fire of the Falcon 9’s engines earlier this week, the company said in a tweet.

After sending the satellite to orbit, SpaceX plans to recover the first-stage booster by landing it on a barge at sea. An attempt to land the booster on a drone ship at sea was a success last month.

Officials with SpaceX aren't optimistic for a successful landing this time. Thursday's launch is to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit, meaning the booster will experience extreme velocity and high heat on re-entry.

Thursday morning’s launch window opens at 1:21 AM EST. Weather forecasts early in the week predict an 80% change of launch.

SpaceX’s last launch was in April, delivering supplies to the International Space Station.

For live launch updates, follow Brendan Byrne on Twitter: @SpaceBrendan

Brendan Byrne is WMFE's Assistant News Director, managing the day-to-day operations of the WMFE newsroom, editing daily news stories, and managing WMFE's internship program.

Byrne also hosts WMFE's weekly radio show and podcast "Are We There Yet?" which explores human space exploration.