SPACEX FALCON 9 LAUNCHES ASIASAT 6 SATELLITE

On Sunday, September 7, 2014, SpaceX successfully launched the AsiaSat 6 satellite to geosynchronous transfer orbit. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 1:00 a.m. EDT from SpaceX's Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Approximately 32 minutes after launch, AsiaSat 6 deployed successfully, and AsiaSat established contact with the satellite shortly thereafter.

This marks the twelfth successful flight in a row for Falcon 9, and the second of two successful missions for AsiaSat this summer.

Below is a mission summary in pictures.

Prior to launch, Falcon 9's two stages, the fairing, and AsiaSat 6 were processed in SpaceX's hangar at Cape Canaveral.

On Saturday, September 6, Falcon 9 was raised vertically on the launch pad in preparation for Sunday's early morning launch.

At 1:00am EDT on Sunday, September 7, Falcon 9 lifted off.

At liftoff, Falcon 9 puts out 1.3 million pounds of thrust, rising to 1.5 million pounds as the vehicle climbs out of Earth's atmosphere.

This long exposure shot was captured as Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral.

Approximately 180 seconds into flight, the first and second stages separated.

Shortly after, Falcon 9's second-stage Merlin vacuum engine ignited to begin a 6-minute burn to bring the satellite to a parking orbit. The payload fairing deployed soon after the start of this burn.

Approximately 32 minutes into flight, AsiaSat 6 was deployed successfully into a 185 x 35786 km geosynchronous transfer orbit, at 25.3 degrees. Falcon 9 met 100% of mission objectives.

LINK:	http://www.spacex.com/news/2014/09/08/spacex-falcon-9-launches-asiasat...
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