SpaceX Launches Dual Payload to GTO [With Video], SpaceRef Business
“A SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched the ABS 3A and EUTELSAT 115 West B satellites towards a supersynchronous transfer orbit. The launch took place on time when the launch window opened at 10:50 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 1, 2015, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.”
Marc’s note: With this launch SpaceX has completed three launches so far this year. They completed six last year. By mid-year they should have equalled last years total and probably surpassed it based on the current schedule. Their launch cadence is clearly picking up as you would expect with a rocket and company that is maturing.

Marc Boucher is an entrepreneur, writer, editor, podcaster and publisher who has worked in space media for more than 25 years. In 1999 he co-founded SpaceRef with Keith Cowing. The new media company grew into a network that included NASA Watch and The Astrobiology Web. After selling SpaceRef, he joined Multiverse Media, which later merged with SpaceNews. There he helped steer the combined company toward more multimedia, a subscription paywall and intelligence products, and pushed for a mobile app. He is also the founder of SpaceQ Media, Canada’s space news and market intelligence publication.

Marc started his first Internet content business in 1992 and hasn’t looked back. When he’s not working, he loves exploring Canada and the world and expanding his photography skills.

6 replies on “SpaceX Successfully Completes 3rd Mission of 2015”

  1. Coming up in 3 weeks is the Turkmensat GTO launch, and then 2 1/2 weeks later ISS Cargo flight (with barge landing attempt).
    Somewhere around this time the Crew Dragon pad abort test.
    Other major highlights coming up include the SES-9 5300kg to GTO launch with the thrust-uprated Falcon 9, the Falcon Heavy launch in late summer, the Crew Dragon in-flight abort test, and 8 other currently manifested launches.
    A bit busy.

    1. Earlier this month after watching Spacex’s last launch I drove to Jacksonville to check out if it would be possible to see Spacex’s booster on a barge once it was recovered. I drove to the dock where I learned that you can only enter if you have tickets for a cruise ship docked nearby.

      However the nearby bridge on Heckechar Dr. offers a safe location with an excellent view of the barge dock. At the east north end of the bridge is a public area where people fish where you can park. The bridge has a sidewalk with a concrete barrier that seperates you from the lite traffic. A good place to view some history should you desire 🙂

      I took some pictures with my cell, some through my binoculars. Please checkout my pictures on twitter @dtarsgeorge. You will see the view of the rocket stand next to the Spacex trailer, as well as the yellow 888 crane and the barge boarding crew ship The Go Quest. Since I was there the day after the launch the barge was still out at sea fighting rough seas.

      Anyway check it out
      Maybe, see one of you there, if I make it.

      binoculars and/or camera with zoom recommended

  2. This could be the shape of comsats to come. Both spacecraft have SEP main propulsion systems and thus could be launched stacked as there wasn’t the extra weight of hydrazine for their main engines. Lighter and cheaper; for a commercial customer, those are compelling arguments.

    Regarding its lessons in terms of SpaceX’s launch cadence, it’s worth recalling that SpaceX has, in past, had long pauses in their launches due to late payloads and faults on launch vehicles. Whilst the signs are looking good for more than eight launches this year, there is always the unexpected hiding around the corner.

  3. Only a 10 day delay that I’m aware of for this launch so a good campaign for this launch!

    As I’ve mentioned before, the proof in the pudding is being able to sustain a high launch rate which can stress your QA. This year may be a turning point for SpaceX, hopefully in a good way if they can maintain this rate for the whole year with minimal problems.

  4. Congratulations to SpaceX, the Tesla of rocket makers…(or is Tesla the SpaceX of car makers? ;-).

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