SpaceX launches Swedish broadband satellite into orbit (video)
On January 4, 2024, SpaceX launched a Swedish broadband satellite into orbit as part of its second mission in 2024, Space.com reports.
A Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Ovzon 3 satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral Spaceport in Florida at 01:04 Kyiv time.
The first stage of the Falcon 9 returned to Earth, landing at Cape Canaveral about 8 minutes after launch.
Meanwhile, Ovzon 3 entered a geosynchronous transfer orbit about 38.5 minutes after launch.
It is noted that Ovzon 3 is the most powerful satellite ever launched into orbit, covering one third of the Earth with its guided point beams.
The geostationary orbit is located at an altitude of about 35,700 km above the Earth. At this altitude, the orbital velocity coincides with the Earth’s rotation speed, which allows satellites to continuously stay over the same area of the planet.
SpaceX said it plans to launch 144 orbital missions in 2024. In 2023, the company set a record by launching 96 orbital missions.
