CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket and European communications satellite from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Wednesday, one day after the initial attempt was scrubbed.
Strong winds and an unreliable sensor resulted in the launch team scrubbing a first countdown Tuesday afternoon, about an hour before the launch window opened at 4:25 p.m.
Wednesday's window at Launch Complex 40 was the same, opening at 4:25 p.m.
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The weather forecast was excellent, with a 90 percent chance of conditions meeting launch rules.
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SpaceX planned to lower the 230-foot Falcon 9 into a horizontal position so a transducer could be replaced on the rocket carrying GovSat-1.
GovSat-1 is a the first spacecraft flying for a public-private partnership dreamed up four years ago by the government of Luxembourg and SES, a Luxembourg-headquartered satellite operator.
"We’ve been patient for four years, so we can be a bit more patient," said Karim Michel Sabbagh, the president and CEO of SES, referring to the potential for delays.
The satellite's capacity will be dedicated to military and government users from European Union and NATO member states, potentially including the U.S.
Luxembourg's prime minister and defense minister are in town to see the launch.
The satellite is flying atop a used Falcon 9 rocket whose first-stage booster launched a U.S. government mission last May.
After that flight, the booster landed back at Cape Canaveral. This time, no landing will be attempted.
Contact Dean at 321-242-3668 or jdean@floridatoday.com. And follow on Twitter at @flatoday_jdean and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SpaceTeamGo.