Launch Photos: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Blasts Off On Landmark Satellite Mission

Falcon 9 Awaits Launch at Cape Canaveral

SpaceX

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is seen in this image awaiting launch at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. This photo was released Nov. 28, 2013. [Read the Full Launch Story Here]

[Watch the Video Here]

Falcon 9 Horizontal on Launch Pad for SES-8

SpaceX

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket rests on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. This image was released Nov. 28, 2013.

Falcon 9 Awaits Launch

SpaceX

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stands vertical on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. This image was released Nov. 28, 2013.

Falcon 9 Vertical on the Launch Pad for SES-8

SpaceX

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is vertical on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. This image was released Nov. 28, 2013.

SpaceX SES-8 Mission Patch

SpaceX

The mission emblem for SpaceX's Falcon 9 v1.1 rocket launch carrying the SES-8 communications satellite on Nov. 25, 2013.

Falcon 9 Rolls Out

SpaceX

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is seen rolling out to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. This photo was released Nov. 28, 2013.

SpaceX SES-8 Mission Falcon 9 Rocket on Launch Pad, Low Angle

SpaceX

SpaceX's Falcon 9 stands on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, Florida, a few minutes before launching the SES-8 mission on Nov. 25, 2013.

SpaceX SES-8 Mission Falcon 9 Rocket on Launch Pad

SpaceX

SpaceX's Falcon 9 stands on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, Florida, a few minutes before launching the SES-8 mission on Nov. 25, 2013.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 Rocket Before Launch, Nov. 25, 2013

SpaceX

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket standing on the launch pad at Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Nov. 25, 2013. The rocket will deliver the SES-8 satellite to a geosynchronous transfer orbit 80,000 km from Earth.

SES-8 Satellite

Orbital Sciences Corp.

An artist's illustration of the huge SES-8 communications satellite launching from Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 rocket on Nov 25, 2013.

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