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SpaceX Holds SES 9 Launch, Next Window Uncertain

By Juliet Van Wagenen | February 26, 2016
      Falcon 9 on launchpad SpaceX

      SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket set to launch the SES 9 satellite. Photo: SpaceX

      [Via Satellite 02-26-2016] SpaceX announced another delay for the Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SES 9 satellite on Thursday night. The launch, originally scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 24, was held for unknown reasons at 6:45 p.m. just minutes after the Feb. 25 launch window opened. The launch company tweeted a statement noting that the teams were reviewing the data and next available launch date. A new launch date and time have not yet been released.

      The SES 9 mission was previously expected in 2015, then in mid-January this year. Built by Boeing, SES 9 is designed to operate for 15 years in geosynchronous orbit with a 12.7-kilowatt payload and 57 high-power Ku-band transponders (equivalent to 81 × 36 MHz transponders). The satellite will be positioned at 108.2 degrees east to provide both replacement and incremental capacity over Asia. The spacecraft will be collocated with SES 7, reaching fast-growing markets including South Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines and the Indian Ocean.