EchoStar XXIII poised to launch on Falcon 9 tonight

Photo by: Walter Scriptunas II

Tonight at 1:34 am EDT (Tuesday) the launch window for the launch of EchoStar XXIII opens and extends to 4:04 am EDT. This particular launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket will be expendable to meet the requirements for the mission, meaning that the first stage isn't fitted with landing legs or grid fins and no landing will be attempted. The weather currently isn't showing to be favourable for the launch and a backup window will be available on Thursday, March 16that 1:35 am EDT. This is SpaceX's second launch from LC-39a following the successful launch of CRS-10 back in February. EchoStar XXIII is a communications satellite to provide satellite and video delivery solutions and is also a part of the world's fourth largest commercial geosynchronous fleet.