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Successful SpaceX Rocket Launch

Credit: Rick Glasby

SpaceX successfully launched a communications satellite for the country of Qatar Thursday from Kennedy Space Center. The on-time launch was the first daytime launch from the Cape in 6 months. 

The payload was a communications satellite for the Middle East, Africa and Europe. A bonus for amateur radio operators in that area: A HAM transponder is part of the payload.  In keeping with SpaceX’s reusability plan, the first stage had been flown before.  And they landed it again on the Of Course I Still Love You barge, floating out in the Atlantic.

The next launch from the Cape comes in less than three weeks as SpaceX flies cargo to the International Space Station.

Rick Glasby is a Broadcast Journalist at WFIT.