European-Built Communications Satellite Scheduled For Launch Next Month

SpaceX hopes to deliver a communications satellite into orbit next month using a booster that has previously flown into space.

The payload ... SES 10 ... arrived at Cape Canaveral Sunday, according to Spaceflight Now. It is being fueled and prepared for launch sometime late next month.

The launch will take place from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. The launch facility was most recently used by NASA for shuttle launches, and was where the Apollo Program began its expeditions to the Moon.

SES made an agreement with SpaceX last year to be the first customer to launch aboard a spacecraft using a recovered booster. SpaceX has recovered seven first-stage rockets since the first successful landing last April.

The booster's Merlin 1D engines have passed their qualification tests performed by SpaceX engineers, according to the report.

After a successful return to flight last weekend from Vandenberg AFB in California, SpaceX has a launch scheduled for January 26 from Pad 39A, and another ISS resupply mission planned for February 8. Both of those flights will be conducted with new boosters.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.spacex.com, www.ses.com