SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket carrying 10 communication satellites

Washington, Mar 31: In a major development, The American aerospace company SpaceX on Friday successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 10 telecommunications satellites from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in Southern California.The Iridium-NEXT satellites were launched Friday morning for McLean, Virginia-based satellite operator Iridium Communications, media reported.The Iridium-5 NEXT Mission marked the fifth set of 10 satellites that Elon Musk s SpaceX has launched for its customer s Iridium NEXT global satellite constellation.The contract calls for SpaceX to launch a total of 75 satellites for Iridium.The launch took place on schedule at 7.13 a.m."Successful deployment of all 10 @IridiumComm NEXT satellites to low-Earth orbit confirmed," Musk s company said on Twitter.SpaceX s next launch is scheduled for April 2, when another Falcon 9 rocket will be used in a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station.That rocket is scheduled to lift off Monday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, Florida.