SpaceX launched the Turksat 5A geostationary communications satellite at 0215 GMT on 8 January from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The mission utilised a Falcon 9 rocket which deployed the 3,500 kg payload into a super-synchronous GTO (Geostationary Transfer Orbit) of approx. 55,000 x 280 km inclined at 17.6 degrees. Deployment of the satellite occurred at T+33 minutes. It is now expected to take some months to circularise and the orbit and remove its inclination to that it move into its planned geostationary Earth orbit.
The Falcon 9 first-stage made a successful braked re-entry and landed on the drone barge Just Read The Instructions located in the Atlantic Ocean at T+8 minutes 30 seconds.
During the Turksat-5A satellite launch, the Falcon 9 reusable first stage B1060 on its fourth flight makes its braking burn towards its landing. Courtesy: SpaceX
The two reusable fairing halves were recovered by the recovery catcher ships Ms Tree and Ms Chief but the one on Ms Tree was damaged.
