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UPDATE: Nighttime success as SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy lifts Hughes JUPITER 3 on its mission

UPDATE FRIDAY JULY 28: Success for SpaceX and Hughes when on Friday, July 28 at 11:04 p.m. ET, Falcon Heavy launched the nine metric ton Jupiter-3 spacecraft the world’s heaviest commercial communications satellite to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

This was the third launch and landing of these Falcon Heavy side boosters, which previously supported USSF-44 and USSF-67.

Success in the night with JUPITER 3 launch
Hughes JUPITER 3 (EchoStar XXIV) ultra high-density satellite pictured before it was delivered to the U.S. Space Coast for launch preparations. Photo Credit: Maxar

UPDATE THURSDAY JULY 27: SpaceX is now targeting Friday, July 28, 11:04 p.m. EDT for Falcon Heavy’s launch of the Hughes JUPITER 3 mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Jupiter 3 is the largest commercial communications satellite ever built, according to its operator, Hughes Network Systems. The satellite weighs 10.1 tons (9.2 metric tons) and, when fully deployed, will have a wingspan similar to that of a commercial jet.

Both of the side boosters on this mission previously supported USSF-44 and USSF-67. Following stage separation, Falcon Heavy’s two side boosters will land on SpaceX’s Landing Zones 1 and 2 (LZ-1 and LZ-2) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The 99-minute launch window opens at 11:04 p.m. ET (03:04 UTC on July 29). A backup opportunity is available on Saturday, July 29 with the same window.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff.

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WEDNESDAY July 26: One minute and five seconds before launch SpaceX‘s Jupiter 3 launch was halted with no explanation at this time.

SpaceX is now targeting Thursday, July 27 for Falcon Heavy’s launch of the Hughes JUPITER 3 mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The 99-minute launch window opens at 11:04 p.m. ET (03:04 UTC on July 28).

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Both of the side boosters on this mission previously supported USSF-44 and USSF-67. Following stage separation, Falcon Heavy’s two side boosters will land on SpaceX’s Landing Zones 1 and 2 (LZ-1 and LZ-2) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff.