SpaceX will be launching its heaviest payload yet with their Falcon 9 rocket

Tonight at 1:50am EDT, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket will liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit. This is the second launch of their new Block 5 rocket carrying the Telstar 19 Vantage satellite, which weighs at 7,075kg, making it the heaviest payload launched by the Falcon 9. After stage separation, the first stage will perform a landing on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You", which is positioned in the Atlantic Ocean. A backup launch window in case there's a scrub is on July 23rd at 1:50am EDT.

Telstar 19 Vantage is the next generation of Telesat satellites and are optimized for bandwidth intensive applications. After a successful launch tonight, Telstar 19V will enter commericial service this summer after completing orbit raising and testing. The satellite is designed to have a lifespan of 15 years and was manufactured by SSL, a Maxar Technologies company. The satellite will be deployed after 32 minutes after liftoff.

Livestreams will start approximately 20 minutes before liftoff at www.spacex.com/webcast

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