Following a very busy 2020 that saw it make a number of achievements, including the launch of the first astronauts to space from American soil since 2011, SpaceX completed its first rocket launch of 2021 on Thursday. The Elon Musk-led company sent a communications satellite for Turkey into orbit via its Falcon 9 rocket, lifting off from Cape Canaveral, Fla. at 9:15 p.m. EST. Shortly thereafter, SpaceX confirmed it successfully deployed the Turksat 5A satellite, which is said to be used to increase Turkey's presence in space. SPACEX LAUNCHES SIRIUSXM SATELLITE FROM CAPE CANAVERALLater this year, SpaceX will also send the Turksat 5B satellite into space, according to Space.com. Initially set for Dec. 16, this launch will see SpaceX send up the Falcon 9 to transport "dozens of small microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers," Spaceflightnow noted.

Source: Fox News January 08, 2021 12:56 UTC