There seems to be a bit of back-and-forth occurring between SpaceX and the United Launch Alliance (ULA). In mid-July, SpaceX launched six ORBCOMM satellites into orbit and the ULA followed up with a satellite launch of their own on July 30. The two again did the same in the past couple of days.
The ULA sent the seventh GPS satellite (GPS IIF-7) into orbit with its Atlas V rocket. The satellite is a part of the U.S. Air Force's GPS system, which is a series of next-generation satellites that enhance use among GPS users on Earth. SpaceX's launch at 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday sent the AsiaSat 8 spacecraft into orbit - a project of the Hong Kong-based Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Ltd. (AsiaSat).
This satellite is expected to be the most powerful of the current AsiaSat fleet in Earth's orbit. It will co-locate with AsiaSat 7 (launched in 2011) and become Asia's most established satellite platform for Middle Eastern, European, Asian, and international programming. AsiaSat 8 is also the most powerful, with a payload power of 8,500 watts. It will enter geosynchronous orbit at 22,370 miles above Earth's surface.
The Falcon 9 rocket released the AsiaSat 8 spacecraft at 4:32 a.m. on Tuesday morning and a few minutes later it successfully broadcasted test signals. Over the next few days the satellite will undergo more tests and preparation as it moves itself into geosynchronous orbit. Coupled with AsiaSat 7, the two newest satellites will provide television, cell phone, internet, and other broadcast services to customers in China, India, the Middle East, and other Southeast Asian countries.
"We are excited that the AsiaSat 8 launch has achieved this significant milestone," said AsiaSat President and CEO William Wade, in this Forbes article. "This is our first launch with SpaceX, we would like to thank them for their excellent work and effort in making today's launch a success."
Elon Musk and SpaceX are conducting as many satellite launch missions as they can before the government decides on a new suitor to perform military satellite/national security-related launches. The Air Force announced that they will seek other space launch services outside of their multibillion-dollar agreement with the ULA. SpaceX hopes to win the bid as they're working on new rocket systems that will be the most powerful in the world and also may have the potential for reusability.
