SpaceX launches EUMETSAT MTG-S1/Starlink 10-25
Two launches in 24 hours: SpaceX delivers EUMETSAT MTG-S1 and 27 Starlink satellites to orbit
- SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station no earlier than 12:31 a.m. on Sunday, July 13.
- The mission, named “Commercial GTO 1,” will carry the Dror-1 communications satellite for Israel.
- The satellite will be deployed to a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
A new type of SpaceX mission will lift off over the weekend from Cape Canaveral.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying a communications satellite for Israel will take off no earlier than 12:31 a.m. Sunday, July 13 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
According to the Space Coast Office of Tourism, SpaceX is referring to the mission as “Commercial GTO 1.” This marks the first time SpaceX has used the term “GTO” for a mission name. In spaceflight, the term “GTO” typically stands for Geostationary Transfer Orbit. This is an elliptical orbit used to send a payload into a geostationary orbit − meaning the satellite will orbit along with Earth, appearing stationary.
It is unknown if other launches will follow in a series of “GTO” missions, such as the Bandwagon rideshare mission series.
The payload in this launch is Dror-1. This is a geostationary communications satellite for Israel by Israel Aerospace Industries.
No Space Coast sonic booms will be heard, as the rocket’s booster will land out on a SpaceX drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Not much else is known about this mission or payload.
The FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will provide live updates beginning 90 minutes prior to liftoff at FloridaToday.com/Space.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.