SpaceX Launches Optus-X Communications Satellite To GEO

Launch of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying Optus-X (photo: X @SpaceX)

JAKARTA SpaceX launched a communication satellite using a Falcon 9 rocket on Monday, November 18. The satellite launched is Optus-X, owned by an Australian telecommunications company called Optus.

Falcon 9 was launched from the Pad 39A runway at the Kennedy Space Center, one of NASA's flight centers, in Florida. This rocket took off at 5.28 WIB, then landed on SpaceX's A Shortfall of Gravity runway in the Atlantic Ocean.

The launch of Optus-X went smoothly and the first phase of Falcon 9 landed about 9 minutes after launch, according to SpaceX's plan. Elon Musk's company revealed that this is the 16th flight for the Falcon 9 booster.

"This is the first stage 16 booster flight to support this mission, which previously launched Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, NG-20, and nine Starlink missions," SpaceX said through its official website.

Unlike most satellites launched by SpaceX, Optus-X is not directed to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). In accordance with Optus' wishes, this communication satellite is directed to a geosynchronous transfer orbit, then runs towards a Geostationary Orbit (GEO).

This orbit is located about 35,786 kilometers above Earth's surface. While in orbit, this satellite will provide mobile connectivity networks for Optus customers. The network will cover 60 percent of the land area that is not covered by internet connections.

Optus-X will be launched in stages. At the launch this time, Optus focused on network capabilities for SMS, while by the end of next year, Optus-X will include voice and data capabilities.