SpaceX has deployed the Es’hail-2 satellite into orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Nasa’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US.

The satellite was placed in a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) approximately 32 minutes after the lift-off.

The launch was conducted onboard a reusable SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on behalf of communications satellite operator Qatar Satellite Company (Es’hailSat).

After completing the separation stage, SpaceX recovered the Falcon 9’s first stage on a drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

The first stage of Falcon 9 was previously used to launch the Telstar 19 Vantage satellite in July.

“Es’hail-2 will primarily serve the business and government sectors across the Middle East and North Africa.”

Built by Japan-based Mitsubishi Electric, the Es’hail-2 is equipped with Ku-band and Ka-band capabilities.

The satellite is designed to provide direct broadcasting services, communications and other services from its orbital position of 26° East.

Designed to operate for more than 16 years, Es’hail-2 will primarily serve the business and government sectors across the Middle East and North Africa.

In a separate development, SpaceX has secured approval from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to develop, launch and operate the Starlink constellation comprising more than 7,000 satellites using V-band frequencies. However, the approval was granted with certain conditions.

In February, SpaceX launched the first set of two demonstration satellites of the programme into space.

FCC also granted approval to SpaceX’s request to add the 37.5-42.0GHz and 47.2-50.2GHz frequency bands to its previously authorised non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) constellation.