SpaceX Launches Inmarsat Communications Satellite

Advertisement
By Agence France-Presse | Updated: 16 May 2017 10:55 IST

SpaceX on Monday launched a communications satellite for Inmarsat, marking its first launch for the London-based mobile broadband company.

The Inmarsat-5 F4 satellite, built by Boeing, blasted off atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 7:21pm (11:21pm GMT).

"We've had confirmation of spacecraft separation," said a SpaceX commentator about 30 minutes after launch, signaling that the satellite was successfully deployed to a distant, geostationary orbit.

Advertisement

"We've had good orbits, good separation, all you can ask for today."

Advertisement

The satellite is the fourth in the company's Global Xpress (GX) constellation, aimed at providing high-speed mobile broadband service.

"Inmarsat, the only operator of a global Ka-band network, created the GX platform to enable communities across the world to benefit from the emerging digital society," said a company statement.

Advertisement

SpaceX, which is headed by Elon Musk, did not attempt to bring the first stage of the rocket back to Earth for an upright landing following the launch.

The payload weighed some 13,500 pounds (6,100 kilograms), and the force needed to propel it to orbit would not leave enough fuel for the rocket to maneuver back to Earth.

 

Catch the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2026 hub.

Further reading: SpaceX, Elon Musk, Inmarsat 5, Science, India
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. CNAP vs Truecaller: Which Is Better at Identifying Spam Calls?
  2. Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Roundup: Everything That We Know So Far
  3. Mask OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch This Action-Packed Thriller Online?
  1. Quantum Haloscope Sharpens the Search for Dark Matter Axions at Higher Frequencies
  2. Rare Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS Fails Alien Test, Scientists Say
  3. CNAP vs Truecaller: How India’s Official Caller ID System Differs From the Popular App
  4. Prayagraj Ki Love Story Set to Stream Soon on Hungama OTT
  5. Mask OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch This Action-Packed Thriller Online?
  6. New Year 2026 Custom Greetings: 5 Best AI Prompts for ChatGPT, Gemini, and Other AI Tools
  7. NASA’s Chandra Spots Champagne Cluster Formed by a Massive Galaxy Collision
  8. NASA’s Curiosity Rover Sends Stunning Sunrise-and-Sunset Holiday Postcard from Mars
  9. Oppo Find X9s Key Specifications Leaked Again; Might Also Launch in India
  10. Redmi Turbo 5, Redmi Turbo 5 Pro to Be Equipped With Upcoming MediaTek Dimensity Chips, Tipster Claims
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.