CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — The launch of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Koreasat 5A communication satellite is scheduled to liftoff at 3:34 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, October 29, 2017, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Launch Weather 90% ‘GO’
According to the latest forecast from the U.S. Air Force 45th Weather Squadron, there is a 90% chance of favorable weather for the launch. The primary concern is cumulus clouds.
Attempted Landing On Drone Ship
Following stage separation, the first stage of the Falcon 9 will attempt a landing on the “Of Course I Still Love You” drone ship.
But a successful landing after launch may be difficult because the Geo Stationary Transfer Orbit requires the first stage rocket to reach a significantly higher altitude than other recovered missions. This means that Falcon 9’s first stage rocket will becoming down faster with less fuel to slow its descent than missions to lower orbits.
Payload
The Koreasat 5A satellite is designed to provide direct-to-home television broadcast and other communications services for Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Guam, Indochina, and South Asia.
