Cape Canaveral prepping for third launch in three weeks

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station could host its third launch in as many weeks if SpaceX lifts off as planned next Saturday afternoon. A Falcon 9 rocket is targeting launch of Turkmenistan’s first satellite at 4:04 p.m., the opening of a one-hour window at Launch Complex 40. The contact with satellite builder Thales Alenia Space calls for launch a communications satellite to a geosynchronous orbit 22,300 miles over the equator. The satellite will enable Turkmenistan “to secure and enhance Turkmenistan communication means,” according to Thales. As with SpaceX’s first launch this month on March 1, the company will not attempt to land the Falcon 9 booster on a drone ship in the ocean because of the satellite’s weight and flight to a high orbit. More

(Source: Florida Today - Mar 15)