SpaceX Falcon 9 launches next-gen SpainSat NG-1 satellite into orbit (video)

A rocket lifts off, lighting the black night with its blinding engines.

SpaceX has launched the next-generation Spanish communications satellite Wednesday night (Jan. 29), soaring the spacecraft into a geostationary transfer orbit.

The Falcon 9 rocket carrying SpainSat Next Generation 1 (SpainSat NG-1), a communications satellite for the European Space Agency (ESA) and Hisdesat communications, lifted off from Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in Florida at 8:34 p.m. EST (0134 GMT on Jan. 30).

The launch is SpaceX's 13th so far for 2025, and served as the swan song for Falcon 9 first stage booster B1073.

SpainSat NG 1, a European Space Agency (ESA) and Hisdesat secure communications satellite, is seen being prepared for its launch into Earth orbit.  (Image credit: Airbus SAS)

This was the 21st and final flight for the B1073 booster, which previously launched a commercial Japanese moon lander (HAKUTO M1) and a resupply mission to the International Space Station (CRS-27) among its other flights. The stage was not recovered due to the performance needs of this SpainSat NG-1 mission, SpaceX wrote in a mission overview.

While Spain-based Hisdesat has led the satellite's development, ESA created its advanced communications capabilities, including antenna technology that enables faster data transmission, better security and the ability to precisely direct communication beams where needed.

Deployment of SpainSat NG I confirmed pic.twitter.com/t2UM8q6hj9January 30, 2025

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"SpainSat NG represents the next generation of secure satellite communications in Europe. This launch marks a key milestone in providing more adaptable and secure communications services that will benefit governmental users across Europe and beyond," said Laurent Jaffart, ESA's Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications, in a statement.

The Falcon 9's upper stage hauled the SpainSat NG-1 satellite to a geosynchronous transfer orbit, where it was deployed 31.5 minutes after liftoff. The satellite will then propel itself to its final position 22,236 miles (35,786 km) above Earth. "With that successful deploy of Spainsat NG-1, it begins its journey to its final destination," said SpaceX's John Inspruker, signing off from the company's coverage of the launch.

Editor's note: This article was updated to reflect the launch of Falcon 9 and successful deployment of the mission payload Jan. 29, at 9:05 p.m. ET (0205 GMT Jan. 30).