SpaceX failed to send the world's largest satellite into space, cancelling the Falcon Heavy launch seconds before liftoff
SpaceX at 23:04 (EDT) or 20:04 (PDT) planned to send the world's largest satellite Jupiter 3 into orbit. To do so, the company used a Falcon Heavy rocket, which has only flown a few times this year. However, the mission was postponed.
Here's What We Know
Jupiter 3 is considered the heaviest satellite. Hughes Network Systems calls it the world's largest commercial communications satellite. For this reason, SpaceX turned to the power of the Falcon Heavy rocket instead of the Falcon 9.
The spacecraft is about 50 metres in size when it deploys its solar panels. The 9,200kg satellite is designed to provide internet access in the US, Mexico, Canada and South American countries. The speed is up to 500 Gbps.
Watch Falcon Heavy launch @HughesConnects JUPITER 3, the largest satellite ever to be launched to a geosynchronous transfer orbit → https://t.co/bJFjLCiTbK https://t.co/wRmVUCSgiB
- SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 27, 2023
Falcon Heavy is the second most powerful rocket in the world. It is second only to NASA's Space Launch System. Falcon Heavy has completed six missions. The seventh has been postponed until tomorrow. SpaceX stopped the countdown 65 seconds before the engines were ignited, but did not disclose the reason.
Source: space