Falcon 9 on Track to Launch Thaicom 6 Today

Ready
Credit : SpaceX

SpaceX is on track for the liftoff of Thaicom-6 this evening, in a launch window which opens at 5:06 p.m. EST from Cape Canaveral’s SLC-40. If all goes as planned, the Falcon 9 V1.1, in its second mission from Cape Canaveral, and its third overall, will launch the 3,016 kg satellite to an orbital slot at 78.5 degrees East longitude in a flight lasting 31 minutes from liftoff to payload separation. The weather calls for overcast skies,  and stiff winds averaging 20 mph, as the cold weather front which has blasted much of the nation roars through central Florida. Temperature at liftoff will still be a comparatively balmy 61 degrees but falling off quickly. Built by Orbital Sciences Corporation and based on its GeoStar-2 platform, Thaicom 6 hosts 18 C band transponders and 8 Ku-band transponders, and will be operated by Thaicom Public Company Limited to provide C band services through one beam to Southeast Asia and much of the surrounding Pacific waters, and as well as to Africa from a second C-band beam. Ku-band services will be provided to Southeast Asian mainland. Launch coverage begins at 4:25 p.m. EST at SpaceX.com/webcast.