Two important communications satellites were launched by a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket on June 16th. However, the hoped-for re-landing of the rocket’s first stage was not a success.
The two satellites, both built by Boeing’s space division, and depend on electric propulsion to get to final operational orbit and this highly-efficient transmission method will mean a ‘slow but steady’ path to orbit.
Both Eutelsat and ABS estimate that their journey to orbit will take about 6-7 months.
The Eutelsat craft was originally ordered by SatMex prior to the company being acquired by Eutelsat. The satellite will work providing communications and data services to Mexico, Central America and South America from Q1 next year. ABS-2A is the second of 4 similar satellites ordered with Boeing, and will operate over Russia, the MENA region, Southeast Asia and Africa.
As for the failed first stage landing attempt, it seems the landing rocket came in too hard and fast (“a rapid unscheduled disassembly”) and crashed onto the floating barge.
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