The world's largest private communications satellite, Jupiter-3, is scheduled to be launched tomorrow, July 28, 2023, by Elon Musk's SpaceX. The satellite was built by Space Systems/Loral for Hughes Network Systems and will be used to provide broadband internet service to customers in the Americas.
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The launch will take place from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Falcon Heavy rocket will be used for the launch, which is scheduled to begin at 11:04 p.m. ET (3:04 a.m. UTC).
Jupiter-3 is a large satellite, weighing in at 9.2 metric tons. It is the heaviest geostationary satellite ever launched. The satellite will be placed in a geosynchronous orbit, which means that it will orbit the Earth at the same speed as the Earth rotates. This will allow the satellite to remain in a fixed position over the Earth, which is necessary for providing broadband internet service.
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The launch of Jupiter-3 is a major milestone for SpaceX and for the commercial space industry. It is the first time that a Falcon Heavy rocket has been used to launch a commercial satellite. The launch is also a sign of the growing demand for broadband internet service in the Americas.
I hope you'll tune in to watch the launch tomorrow! You can watch the live webcast on SpaceX's website or on YouTube.
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