spacetoday.net: SpaceX launches six ORBCOMM satellites

Posted: Tue, Jul 15, 2014, 7:41 AM ET (1141 GMT)
Falcon 9 v1.1 launch of ORBCOMM OG2 satellites (SpaceX)

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket placed six ORBCOMM next-generation communications satellites into orbit on Monday. The Falcon 9 v1.1 lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 11:15 am EDT (1515 GMT) and placed into low Earth orbit six ORBCOMM Generation 2 (OG2) satellites. All six satellites deployed from the upper stage and are functioning properly, the company reported. The satellites are the first of a new generation of satellites that will replace the company's original constellation of satellites providing messaging and data services; a second set of 11 will launch on another Falcon 9 late this year. The launch, originally planned for May, was delayed for two months by a series of issues with the rocket and one of the six satellites. SpaceX also used the launch to test the ability of the Falcon 9 to land, although company CEO Elon Musk reported on Twitter that the stage broke apart immediately after reaching the ocean surface.