Live stream and local time of historic space event

The long-awaited day is finally upon us.

Since its inception, SpaceX has been working toward developing reusable rockets.

SES chief technology officer Martin Halliwell told journalists Tuesday that the decision to use a pre-flown rocket came down to “tremendous transparency” between the satellite provider and the commercial launch company.

The Falcon 9 mission to send the SES 10 communications satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, due for liftoff at 6:27 p.m. ET (3:27 p.m. PT) today from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, marks a milestone in SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s drive to lower the cost of access to space. These worries aren’t calmed by events like the well-publicized explosion of a Falcon 9 in September, although SpaceX has since claimed to have determined the cause.

SpaceX, which has suggested its launch prices may drop about 10% for now, expects roughly 30% overall price cuts in later years. Private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and others can then use that knowledge gained to make the process leaner and more flexible. SpaceX’s CEO Elon Musk noted that refueling the rocket with liquid RP-1 (a form on kerosene) and liquid oxygen costs around $200,000.

After launch, the booster made the first successful landing on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You. Four months later, after a couple more fails, Musk’s space startup stuck the landing on an autonomous drone ship out at sea. “In order to make that work, you need to inspect it and make sure it is ready to fly again”. It’s time to relaunch one. It’s also worth noting that NASA’s Space Shuttle, with its twin solid rocket boosters, was also a reusable launch vehicle.

On Thursday, a Falcon 9 recovered after a resupply mission to the International Space Station will carry a satellite to a geostationary orbit, keeping pace with the Earth’s rotation to stay above the same spot. It, however, hasn’t reused any of the Falcon 9 rockets it landed back safely till date (one of them is even placed in the front lawns of the company HQ). Using an abundance of caution, SpaceX will be relaunching this rocket nearly a year after it’s maiden voyage. “They saw something they didn’t think would exist”.

SpaceX’s plan is to launch the used booster attached to the rocket dozens of miles above the planet, and then the booster will separate from the rocket.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket cost million to build. Building reusable rocket equipment is key to the company’s mission of making spaceflight more affordable. SES says SES-10 will also have “the ability to support off-shore oil and gas exploration”. Lesser fuel for landing means more fuel can be used to launch heavier payload.

Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket.