UPDATE: 6:28 p.m. EDT— The SpaceX launch of the Block 5 Falcon 9 rocket that was scheduled for Thursday was scrubbed with less than one minute to go in the launch countdown. SpaceX tweeted after the launch was aborted that "a standard ground system auto abort" occurred but that the rocket and the payload were in good health. The backup window for the launch set was set for 4:14 p.m. EDT Friday.
Original story
After several delays, SpaceX is scheduled to launch its new Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket Thursday evening from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The new rocket is SpaceX's latest innovation to increase the reusability of its launching system. The technology incorporated in the Block 5 first stage allows the stage to be reused up to 10 times as is with just "limited refurbishment" between launches, according to SpaceX.
Until now, SpaceX has only ever used any of its boosters twice. The new Block 5 would change that; it would require little work between flights aside from inspections, refueling, attaching the payload and fairing. During a conference call Thursday before the flight, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said he expects to see "Same day re-flight of the same rocket," as early as next year. The rocket is designed to launch twice in a 24-hour period.
Thursday's launch is meant to put the Bangabandhu Satellite-1 into geostationary transfer orbit shortly after the rocket launches from Earth. The launch window was originally set to open at 4:12 p.m. EDT and the launch was pushed to 5:47 p.m. EDT, the company tweeted. The launch window was set to stay open until 6:21 p.m. EDT, according to SpaceX.
Following the launch, SpaceX planned to attempt to recover the first stage of the rocket on one of its droneships stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Falcon 9 Block 5 and Bangabandhu Satellite-1 went vertical on Pad 39A in Florida this morning. Now targeting liftoff at 4:42 p.m. EDT, 20:42 UTC – vehicle and payload look good, completing final check outs at the pad. https://t.co/gtC39uBC7z pic.twitter.com/ML81qpl76g
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 10, 2018
The payload contained the Bangabandhu Satellite-1, the first geostationary communications satellite for the country of Bangladesh. The satellite is expected to bring Ku-band coverage to Bangladesh and the Bay of Bengal in addition to surrounding countries. The satellite will provide direct-to-home services and video distribution, along with other small aperture terminal communications.
Musk said he was proud of the SpaceX team who worked hard prior to the launch to make it a successful one. "Hopefully it all goes as planned and we do a great job for the people of Bangladesh today," he said at the end of the call.
The launch will be broadcast live on SpaceX's website as well as YouTube or here:
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