SpaceX launched the Thuraya-4 satellite for Yahsat / Space 42 this evening from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 8:27 PM EST (0027 UTC) on a cool evening on the Space Coast.

Tonight’s launch was the first from the Eastern Range in 2025 in what is expected to be another record year for launches from the combined facilities of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center.

Around 8.25 minutes after lifting off, Booster B1073 completed its 20th mission when it touched down on ASDS ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’, which was stationed offshore downrange. ASOG and B1073 will now return to Port Canaveral for offloading and preparation for B1073’s next flight.

The second stage and payload achieved its initial orbit at about eight minutes into the flight, and that orbit was rounded about twenty-eight minutes later, with a successful payload deployment shortly after the 35th minute of the mission.

Deployment of Thuraya 4 confirmed pic.twitter.com/u8Svi3B9yt

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 4, 2025

Payload

Thuraya 4-NGS is a communication satellite built by Airbus UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company P.J.S.C. (Yahsat). It is built on the all-electric Airbus Eurostar-Neo Platform and will incorporate a large 12-meter L-band antenna and a payload capable of processing providing 3200 channels over a large number of spot beams.

Thuraya is the mobile satellite services subsidiary of the UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company P.J.S.C. (Yahsat), a public company and subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company. Established in 1997, Thuraya is the UAE’s first home-grown satellite operator.

Launch Replay

Next Launch

SpaceX is planning to launch Starlink 6-71 from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center NET Monday, January 6, 2025. The launch window opens at 11:44 AM EST (1644 UTC) and closes at 4:15 PM (2115 UTC) the same day.

• Date: NET January 6, 2025
• Organization: SpaceX
• Mission: Starlink 6-71
• Rocket: Falcon 9
• Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
• Launch Window: 11:43 AM – 4:15 PM EST
• Payload: Starlink satellites for SpaceX’s ISP constellation.