A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has successfully launched the EchoStar-25 satellite, marking a significant milestone for direct television broadcasting. The launch occurred on March 9, 2026, at 12:19 a.m. EDT (0419 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Launch Details
The Falcon 9 rocket, standing at 70 meters tall, lifted off and flew due east over the Atlantic Ocean. The 45th Weather Squadron had forecasted a 90 percent chance of favorable weather for the launch, with only a minor risk of interference from cumulus clouds.
Mission Achievements
Approximately 8.5 minutes post-launch, the first stage of the Falcon 9, designated B1085, successfully landed on the drone ship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’. This landing marked the 146th touchdown on this vessel and the 583rd booster landing overall for SpaceX. The EchoStar-25 satellite was deployed from the rocket’s second stage nearly 33 minutes after liftoff.
Satellite Specifications and Future Plans
Constructed by Lanteris Space LLC, the EchoStar-25 satellite is based on the 1300 Series satellite bus, which has been utilized in various missions, including NASA’s Psyche probe. This satellite will operate in the 12.2-12.7 GHz frequency range for space-to-Earth communications and 17.3-17.8 GHz for Earth-to-space communications, as per a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This launch represents the latest addition to EchoStar’s fleet, following the launch of EchoStar 23 in March 2017.
Business Developments
In a notable business move, EchoStar announced in September 2025 that it would sell spectrum licenses to SpaceX for $17 billion, a deal that is pending regulatory approval. EchoStar’s CEO, Charles Ergen, expressed disappointment over the decision but acknowledged SpaceX’s capabilities in advancing their direct-to-mobile service through its Starlink Mobile initiative.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
