Falcon 9 launch of JCSAT 14. Photo: SpaceX

[Via Satellite 05-06-2016] SpaceX successfully launched Sky Perfect JSAT’s JCSAT 14 communications satellite today from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and landed the rocket’s first stage on the company’s platform in the Atlantic Ocean. The satellite separated from the launch vehicle approximately 32 minutes after lift off. Using the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You,” the launch is the second time SpaceX has landed a first stage booster out at sea, and the third time overall, with the previous successes following missions for NASA and Orbcomm.

Built by SSL, JCSAT 14 is a communications satellite with Ku- and C-bands, and will replace JCSAT 2A at the 154 degrees east longitude. The satellite will provide Ku-band coverage over Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, and extends coverage beyond Asia and Oceania into Russia as well as Pacific Island nations in C-band. Sky Perfect JSAT will conduct in-orbit testing to verify JCSAT 14’s nominal performance prior to starting commercial service.