SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches EchoStar 23

SpaceX

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the EchoStar 23 communications satellite launches from Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida early on March 16, 2017.

Falcon 9 Streak with EchoStar 23

SpaceX

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the EchoStar 23 satellite streaks into space in this long-exposure view of its nighttime launch from Par 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida in the wee hours of March 16, 2017.

Blast Off!

SpaceX

This still from a SpaceX webcast shows the Falcon 9 rocket lighting up the night sky as it launches EchoStar 23 into orbit.

Ignition for Falcon 9

SpaceX

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to send the EchoStar 23 satellite into orbit. The was expected to be SpaceX's last flight that would throw away the Falcon 9 first stage.

Falcon 9 and EchoStar 23 Lift Off

SpaceX

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the EchoStar 23 communications satellite lifts off on March 16, 2017.

Falcon 9 Burning Bright

SpaceX

The Merlin engines powering SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket burn bright shortly after the launch of the EchoStar 23 satellite on March 16, 2017.

Falcon 9 Second Stage Lights Up

SpaceX

The second stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket fires up to carry the EchoStar 23 satellite to the desired orbit on March 16, 2017.

EchoStar 23 Flying Solo

SpaceX

The EchoStar 23 communications satellite separates from the second stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on March 16, 2017.

Falcon 9 and EchoStar 23 Before Liftoff

SpaceX

The EchoStar 23 satellite and its SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket sit poised to lift off on March 16, 2017.

EchoStar 23 Falcon 9 Launch Pad

SpaceX

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the EchoStar 23 communications satellite is seen atop Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of its planned predawn launch on March 14, 2017.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire for EchoStar 23

SpaceX

SpaceX test fires the first stage engines of a Falcon 9 rocket on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on March 9, 2017. The Falcon 9 rocket will launch the EchoStar 23 communications satellite into orbit on March 14, according to SpaceX.