SpaceX is targeting April 7 for the launch of the Arabsat 6A communications satellite from historic Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, CNBC reported Friday (March 15), citing anonymous sources.
The mission is called Arabsat 6A. It is a large communications satellite – weighing in at 13,200-lb. (6,000 kilograms) that was built for Saudi Arabian corporation Arabsat. Built by Lockheed Martin, the satellite is described by Lockheed vice president Lisa Callahan as one of “the most advanced commercial communications satellites we’ve ever built.”
The reusable Falcon Heavy is the most powerful rocket flying today. The rocket made its first test mission on February 8, 2018, launching SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk’s red Tesla Roadster – driven by a spacesuit-clad dummy dubbed Starman — into orbit around the sun.
The Falcon Heavy is essentially three smaller, Falcon 9 rockets strapped together, adding up to a total of 27 engines. The 230-foot (70-meter) tall rocket is designed to carry nearly 141,000 pounds (64 metric tons) into orbit — more than the mass of a fully loaded 737 jetliner.
But to be factual, the Falcon Heavy is not the most powerful rocket ever – just the biggest in operation today. Actually, the Saturn V rocket that propelled astronauts to the Moon could deliver more payload to orbit. The Soviet-era Energia, which flew twice in 1987 and 1988, was also more powerful.
Arabsat-6A communications satellite
Arabsat-6A is a Saudi Arabian communications satellite operated by Arabsat. Headquartered in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Arabsat was created in 1976 to deliver satellite-based, public and private telecommunications services to the Arab States, in accordance with International Standards.
Arabsat satellites are a series of geostationary communications satellites launched from 1985 through 2011. Some of the satellites still remain operational while several have been retired and are now considered derelict.
The Arasat 6A will be placed into geostationary orbit providing television, Internet, telephone and secure communications, to customers in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Its Western beam will also reach the Eastern seaboard of the US and South America.
