Bangabandhu Satellite-1 Mission

SpaceX is targeting launch of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 on Friday, May 11 from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The launch window opens at 4:14 p.m. EDT, or 20:14 UTC, and closes at 8:14 p.m. EDT, or 00:14 UTC. A backup launch opportunity is available on Saturday, May 12 from 2:21 p.m. EDT, or 18:21 UTC, to 6:21 p.m. EDT, or 22:21 UTC.

The Bangabandhu Satellite-1 mission will be the first to utilize Falcon 9 Block 5, the final substantial upgrade to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Falcon 9 Block 5 is designed to be capable of 10 or more flights with very limited refurbishment as SpaceX continues to strive for rapid reusability and extremely high reliability.

Following stage separation, SpaceX will attempt to land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.