A Falcon 9 rocket with the SES-9 telecommunications satellite has finally lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, after four cancellations, Sputnik reported with the reference to the SpaceX aerospace manufacturer.
The rocket lifted off at 06:35 p.m. on Friday (23:35 GMT). The launch had been put off four times since February 24 amid bad weather conditions and technical difficulties.
"Right now successful launch, we're in orbit," a SpaceX representative hosting the live launch broadcast said.
SpaceX plans to attempt a Falcon 9 drone ship landing after the launch.
In December 2015, SpaceX succeeded in making its Falcon 9 first-stage rocket land upright about 6 miles from where it was launched at Cape Canaveral, Florida. It was the first time an orbital rocket successfully completed a controlled landing on Earth.
In January 2015, SpaceX tried to land a Falcon 9 rocket on a drone ship, but the rocket toppled over and exploded.