Space X’s Falcon 9 Rocket Launches Japanese Comms Satellite

SpaceX has launched a Space Systems Loral-built communications satellite for Japanese company SKY Perfect JSAT into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.

The U.S. Air Force‘s 45th Space Wing supported the JCSAT-16 payload launch Sunday from the Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral AF Station in Florida, the service branch said Monday.

JCSAT-16 is designed to serve as a commercial backup satellite for SKY Perfect JSAT’s Ku- and Ka-band communications service offering across the Japanese market.

The 45th SW provided a suite of radar, telemetry and communications instrumentation to the mission in an effort to help SpaceX launch the Japanese satellite safely, the Air Force noted.

Col. Walt Jackim, the 45th SW vice commander and mission launch decision authority, said the JCSAT-16 launch operation “reflects a superb collaborative effort between commercial launch providers, allied customers and U.S. Air Force range and safety resources.”