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SpaceX launches HOTBIRD 13F satellites from Cape Canaveral

Falcon 9 rocket launched early Saturday morning carrying communications satellites

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station early Saturday morning.

The launch went off at 1:22 a.m. Saturday. Originally, the 116-minute launch window opened up at 11:26 p.m. Friday, though SpaceX said the launch would be pushed back to allow for more time to review data.

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The 45th Weather Squadron said favorable weather conditions for the launch and backup date were forecast to be 90%.

The two HOTBIRD 13F satellites are expected to provide video broadcasting service to more than 160 million homes in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, according to satellite operations company Eutelsat.

The Falcon 9 first-stage booster used in this launch was previously used in another Starlink mission, and after stage separation, it landed on the Just Read the Instructions droneship in the Atlantic, SpaceX announced.

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