WATCH LIVE: SpaceX to Launch Falcon 9 Rocket #PAZmission @9:17am EST

SpaceX will debut an upgraded payload fairing for the Falcon 9 rocket when they return to action Thursday with the launch of Spain’s Paz satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The launch, which will also carry the first demonstration satellites for SpaceX’s own satellite internet constellation, is targeting an instantaneous launch opportunity at 06:17 Pacific Time (14:17 UTC). Liftoff window begins at 6:17 a.m. ET. ? Get Live Alerts: (Rocket Launches & Webcasts) https://goo.gl/APoYMC On Thursday morning, Paz mission preparing for liftoff, Paz is a radar imaging satellite which will be operated by Spanish company Hisdesat. The spacecraft will provide day and night, all-weather imaging capabilities for Hisdesat’s customer, Spain’s Ministry of Defence. The launch of Paz had previously been scheduled to take place last Sunday. However, SpaceX announced a delay on Saturday to the next available date: Wednesday. In announcing this delay, SpaceX confirmed that the rocket would fly with an upgraded payload fairing and that the reason for the delay was to give additional time for checkouts on this part of the vehicle. The upgrade is understood – although unconfirmed by SpaceX – to be Fairing Version 2 – or “Fairing 2.0” – a new version of the protective shroud expected to improve its survivability for post-launch recovery attempts, and to be reusable on future missions. Paz will be joined aboard Falcon 9 by MicroSat-2a and 2b, a pair of 400-kilogram (880 lb) demonstration satellites for SpaceX’s planned Starlink internet constellation. The satellites are the first prototypes in a fleet which may consist of up to 12,000 spacecraft. SpaceX first announced Starlink in early 2015. The project will use satellites in place of traditional infrastructure to help provide high-speed broadband internet access around the world. SpaceX’s filings with the US Federal Communications Commission indicate that the constellation will be used for fixed satellite services (FSS), such as backhaul for transmitting data around the globe. The space-based architecture could be used to help bring faster internet access to more remote regions of the planet in the future. By the courtesy of SpaceX live Feed www.spacex.com www.spaceofficial.com SPACE & UNIVERSE Network