The commencement of orbital launches in Florida for the year 2023 mirrored its conclusion, with the deployment of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Carrying a communications satellite for Sweden-based Ovzon, the liftoff occurred within the ten-minute launch window that opened at 6:04 p.m. EST (2304 UTC).

This marked the second Falcon 9 flight within a 24-hour period, following the launch of 21 Starlink satellites from California the previous day.

The mission successfully propelled the Ovzon-3 satellite into geostationary orbit, signifying the inaugural launch of a privately-funded Swedish satellite, Spaceflight Now reported.

Over the next three months, following Wednesday’s liftoff, the satellite will traverse to its designated orbital slot at 59.7 degrees East.

Once positioned, Ovzon will initiate a comprehensive testing phase, with the aim of achieving full operational status by mid-2024.

Written by B.C. Begley

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