Early this morning a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, carrying 10 new satellites for the Iridium NEXT communications network. They were released about an hour after launch once they were in their proper positions to function in the “constellation” of satellites that will make up the Iridium NEXT communications system. This was the third set of 10 satellites for the Iridium NEXT constellation, bringing the grand total to 30 functional satellites, nearly half the required amount for the advanced communications network.
http://investor.iridium.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=1043187
As for the launch itself, it was a perfectly normal Falcon 9 launch with another successful drone ship landing. Nothing out of the ordinary here; honestly it looked about like every other SpaceX launch and landing. Still, here’s the whole webcast for you to enjoy, if you wish. Enjoy!