MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The satellite, developed by the state-owned Turkmenistan National Space Agency, will cover Europe, Central Asia and parts of Africa.
SpaceX prepares Falcon 9 for launch—and reminds us how big rockets are: http://t.co/9moiIND6SB pic.twitter.com/gJ4RhCZ30k
— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) April 27, 2015
TurkmenAlem52E was initially set to be launched in March, but the launch was delayed amid an issue with the SpaceX rocket’s helium pressurization system.
LAUNCH of the @SpaceX Falcon 9 from CCAFS SLC-40, moments ago. pic.twitter.com/DTIBYdsHpR
— InsideKSC (@InsideKSC) April 27, 2015
Watching the @SpaceX Falcon 9 stage two nozzle go from cold to orange-hot in mere seconds was amazing #Thales pic.twitter.com/Dnkk1WnV11
— Nick Ulivieri (@ChiPhotoGuy) April 27, 2015
The launch comes as Turkmenistan’s authorities are conducting a campaign to dismantle privately owned satellite dishes in the country, a move that has drawn criticism from international human rights groups.
