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SpaceX launches Turkish satellite from Florida

SpaceX targeting 9:15 launch time

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Following a very busy year, SpaceX started 2021 with a launch on Thursday night from Cape Canaveral, sending up a Turkish communications satellite.

The Space Coast hosted more than 30 rocket launches last year and 2021 promises to top that as SpaceX continues to build its Starlink satellite constellation to provide global internet, launching a new batch of spacecraft with increasing frequency.

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A Falcon 9 rocket launched a satellite called Turksat-5A Thursday evening from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 40.

Turksat is a satellite operation company located in Turkey. According to Turkish news site AA.com, the broadband satellite will provide television services and expand broadband data for Turkey, the Middle East, southern Europe and part of Africa.

The satellite will remain in geostationary orbit for up to 30 years.


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