Hawthorne-based SpaceX will attempt to launch an Israeli communications satellite into orbit Tuesday from Cape Canaveral.
The launch window for the AMOS-17 mission opens at 3:53 p.m. California time.
The satellite, designed by Israeli communications firm Spacecom, is expected “to provide increased connectivity to Africa,” according to SpaceX.
“AMOS-17 is poised to support growth in a variety of broadcast, broadband, mobility and data services throughout the African continent,” according to SpaceX.
The satellite will be carried into orbit by a Falcon 9 rocket that has been used in previous missions in July 2018 and November 2018. Due to the requirements of Tuesday’s planned launch, SpaceX will not attempt to recover the rocket again for use in future missions.
In 2016, a Spacecom satellite dubbed AMOS-6 and valued at nearly $200 million was destroyed in an explosion that occurred during a pre-launch test firing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral.
Despite that mishap, Spacecom CEO David Pollack told reporters last week that the company still has confidence in SpaceX, saying they “do a very good job.”
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