SES-9 launch on Falcon 9

Spacex succesfully launched the SES-9 satelite into a Geostationary transfer orbit on Friday, March 4 at 6:35pm ET. The Falcon 9 first stage attempted a landing on the dronship but was unsuccesful as was expected before the launch, due to the small margins of this high altitude mission. This was the second flight of the upgraded full thrust Falcon 9 rocket.

SES-9 will be positioned at the orbital slot of 108.2° E and provide incremental as well as replacement capacity to the well established slot over Asia, where it will be co-located with the existing satellites. The satellite will expand SES’s capability to provide DTH broadcasting and other communications services in Northeast Asia, South Asia & Indonesia, as well as maritime communications for vessels in the Indian Ocean.