Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) successfully launched the JCSAT-16 commercial communications satellite and landed the first stage Falcon 9 rocket on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean early Sunday morning.

The JCSAT-16 is a Space Systems Loral (SSL) telecommunications satellite carrying Ku-band and Ka-Band transponders and is meant to function as an in-orbit back-up for the Tokyo, Japan-based SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation’s satellite television services.

SpaceX launches the JCSAT-16 commercial communications satellite on a Falcon 9 rocket. Photo: SpaceX
SpaceX launches the JCSAT-16 commercial communications satellite on a Falcon 9 rocket. Photo: SpaceX

The company offers video distribution and data transfer communications services in the Asia, Russia, Oceania, Middle East, and North America regions.

The Falcon 9 delivered the JCSAT-16 to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Following the successful first stage launch, the Falcon 9 completed its secondary-mission objective of landing on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship on station in the Atlantic Ocean. Before the launch, SpaceX said “given this mission’s GTO destination, the first-stage will be subject to extreme velocities and re-entry heating, making a successful landing challenging.”

The launch occurred at 1:26am ET on Sunday morning at Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. It occurred at the beginning of a two hour launch window.The satellite was successfully deployed about 32 minutes after liftoff.

“I am very proud of the entire Space Coast team. Their flawless work made this mission a success,” Col. Walt Jackim, vice commander and mission launch decision authority at the 45th Space Wing, said in a statement.

“Today’s launch reflects a superb collaborative effort between commercial launch providers, allied customers, and U.S. Air Force range and safety resources,” he added.