• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechSpaceX

SpaceX Reschedules Intelsat Satellite Launch

By
Jonathan Vanian
Jonathan Vanian
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Jonathan Vanian
Jonathan Vanian
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 5, 2017, 5:57 PM ET

If all goes well, there could be a new satellite hovering in space tonight.

Space Explorations Technologies Corp, also known as SpaceX, said it plans to launch its SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday evening at 7:38 PM EST.

The rocket will then deploy a satellite used for communications that will remain in what’s known as Geostationary Transfer Orbit, an area 22,236 miles above the Earth where satellites can float in tandem to the Earth’s rotation.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

The Elon Musk-led space company said it would show the satellite launch live via a webcast that will begin ten minutes before liftoff.

Targeting launch of @Intelsat 35e today at 7:38 p.m. EDT, 23:38 UTC. Webcast goes live ~10 minutes before liftoff –>https://t.co/tdni53IviI

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 5, 2017

SpaceX said the satellite, which is owned by satellite company Intelsat, “will be deployed approximately 32 minutes after launch.”

Wednesday’s launch is SpaceX’s third attempt to send the satellite to space in the past week. The company tried to launch the satellite on Sunday and Monday, but stopped because of unspecified errors.

Although SpaceX wanted to launch the satellite on July 4, Musk said that the company was instead dedicating the day to do a “full review of rocket and pad systems.”

We're going to spend the 4th doing a full review of rocket & pad systems. Launch no earlier than 5th/6th. Only one chance to get it right …

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 4, 2017

Unlike previous rocket launches, SpaceX said it would “not attempt to land Falcon 9’s first stage after launch due to mission requirements.” SpaceX has previously gathered and reused its first stage booster rockets from prior launches after the rockets landed on floating robotic barges in the ocean.

But because the satellite in Wednesday’s launch needs to be deployed at such a high altitude, the first-stage rocket will not have enough fuel to send it safely back to Earth, noted the Orlando Sentinel.

Update: Wednesday, 9:30 PM EST:

The launch appears to have been successful, according to SpaceX and Musk.

Thanks @INTELSAT! Really proud of the rocket and SpaceX team today. Min apogee requirement was 28,000 km, Falcon 9 achieved 43,000 km.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 6, 2017

About the Author
By Jonathan Vanian
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Jonathan Vanian is a former Fortune reporter. He covered business technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data privacy, and other topics.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Big TechStreaming
Trump warns Netflix-Warner deal may pose antitrust ‘problem’
By Hadriana Lowenkron, Se Young Lee and BloombergDecember 7, 2025
6 hours ago
Big TechOpenAI
OpenAI goes from stock market savior to burden as AI risks mount
By Ryan Vlastelica and BloombergDecember 7, 2025
6 hours ago
AIData centers
HP’s chief commercial officer predicts the future will include AI-powered PCs that don’t share data in the cloud
By Nicholas GordonDecember 7, 2025
9 hours ago
Future of WorkJamie Dimon
Jamie Dimon says even though AI will eliminate some jobs ‘maybe one day we’ll be working less hard but having wonderful lives’
By Jason MaDecember 7, 2025
13 hours ago
CryptoCryptocurrency
So much of crypto is not even real—but that’s starting to change
By Pete Najarian and Joe BruzzesiDecember 7, 2025
18 hours ago
Elon Musk
Big TechSpaceX
SpaceX to offer insider shares at record-setting $800 billion valuation
By Edward Ludlow, Loren Grush, Lizette Chapman, Eric Johnson and BloombergDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Real Estate
The 'Great Housing Reset' is coming: Income growth will outpace home-price growth in 2026, Redfin forecasts
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
AI
Nvidia CEO says data centers take about 3 years to construct in the U.S., while in China 'they can build a hospital in a weekend'
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
The most likely solution to the U.S. debt crisis is severe austerity triggered by a fiscal calamity, former White House economic adviser says
By Jason MaDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says Europe has a 'real problem’
By Katherine Chiglinsky and BloombergDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Big Tech
Mark Zuckerberg rebranded Facebook for the metaverse. Four years and $70 billion in losses later, he’s moving on
By Eva RoytburgDecember 5, 2025
3 days ago
placeholder alt text
Uncategorized
Transforming customer support through intelligent AI operations
By Lauren ChomiukNovember 26, 2025
11 days ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.