🚀 The First Launch of 2025: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Thuraya 4-NGS

Thuraya 4-NGS is a communication satellite being built by Airbus Defense and Space for the UAE based Yahsat. Based on the all-electric Airbus Eurostar-Neo Platform, Thuraya 4-NGS will incorporate a large 12-meter L-band antenna and a payload with on-board processing providing advanced routing flexibility of up to 3200 channels with dynamic power allocation over a large number of spot beams.

Window Opens: January 3rd at 8:27PM EST (01:27 UTC on the 4th)
Window Closes: January 4th at 12:23AM EST (05:23 UTC)

Mission: F9 launch of the Thuraya 4-NGS satellite for Thuraya
Launch location: Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Earth.
Target orbit: Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)
Booster: B1073-20; 46d 6h 56min turnaround
Booster history: SL 4-15, SES-22, SL 4-26, SL 4-35, Hakuto-R Mission 1, Amazonas Nexus, CRS-27, SL 6-2, SL 5-11, SL 6-12, SL 6-27, SL 6-37, SL 6-41, Bandwagon-1, SL 6-58, SL 8-9, SL 10-7, SL 6-61, GSAT-20.
Booster recovery: A Shortfall Of Gravitas (ASOG)
Fairing recovery: Doug
Rocket trajectory: Straight east
Payload mass: About 5 tonnes
Stubby nozzle: NO (thankfully)
Stats:
· SpaceX's 1st launch of the year and the 1st launch of the month.
· Falcon 65th launch since the last failure, F9's 417th orbital flight.
· SpaceX's 225th launch from SLC-40.
· 92nd landing on ASOG out of 93 attempts.
· 50th successful landing since the last failed one.

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[bobbreit]

Gene's voice is classic. His captain shirt at the SH launch made me even more of a fan.

[corrinastanley]

Thanks NSF team, another fun and informative stream.

[GinaSheppard-izfd]

Oh my gosh I never seen the stars moon and Venus it was Magnificent 🤩🤩🤩 Thank You 😍😍😍

[bobbreit]

This one was so good I'm watching it again. Those shots closing the live stream were some of the best!❤🔥🚀

[IsaacDaBoatSloth]

if you look at the landing you can see the big translation it does before it hits dead centre

[arnoldsmith]

more launches more better beautiful launch

[carlosdavilajr]

Saw it at Port Canaveral what an amazing experience.

[Randomguy]

This is more epic than mike tyson vs jake paul live match💯💯

[unitysprings]

We watched from Cocoa Beach. It was off the hook awesome!

[samfromportadown]

IF BO did a Falcon Heavy style version of New Glenn (New Glenn Heavy) with two extra 1st stage cores strapped on the side, how much would the payload to LEO be?

[zapfanzapfan]

Very pretty plumes! Like some multi tentacled sea monster in the sky 🦑

[majidalaamri]

I'm gonna shut up so we can watchit

[WilboBaggins-dmub]

err need to focus...2023...need to work less...2024...goodness me; did my best to follow everything...2025...sorry not available...must NSF 1st