SpaceX will try to land the Falcon's first stage on an autonomous vessel floating in the ocean.
The payload is the eighth and final set of satellites to be launched as Iridium replaces its entire globe-circling fleet with next-generation orbiters. Deployment of the satellites is scheduled to be completed a little over an hour after liftoff.
David McNew/Getty Images
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying the SAOCOM 1A and ITASAT 1 satellites, as seen during a long exposure on Oct. 7, 2018, near Santa Barbara, California.
David McNew/Getty Images
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying the SAOCOM 1A and ITASAT 1 satellites, as seen on Oct. 7, 2018, near Santa Barbara, California.
David McNew/Getty Images
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, right, separates from the space craft behind the rocket trail after launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying the SAOCOM 1A and ITASAT 1 satellites, as seen on Oct. 7, 2018, near Santa Barbara, California. After launching the satellites, the Falcon 9 rocket successfully returned to land on solid ground near the launch site rather than at sea. The satellites will become part of a six-satellite constellation that will work in tandem with an Italian constellation known as COSMO-SkyMed.
Mark Rogerson
A view of the SpaceX rocket launch Sunday Oct. 7, 2018.
Jennifer Flory
A view of the SpaceX rocket launch Sunday Oct. 7, 2018 from Ventura.
Jennifer Flory
A view of the SpaceX rocket launch Sunday Oct. 7, 2018 in Ventura.
Paula Danilczyk
A view of the SpaceX rocket launch Sunday Oct. 7, 2018 from Newport Beach.
Bruce Reigner
A view of the SpaceX rocket launch Sunday Oct. 7, 2018 from Covina.
Peter Binazeski
A view of the SpaceX rocket launch Sunday Oct. 7, 2018 from Signal Hill
Robin Ward
A view of the SpaceX rocket launch Sunday Oct. 7, 2018 from Upland.
Courtney And Travis
A view of the SpaceX rocket launch Sunday Oct. 7, 2018.
Kristin Odermatt
A view of the SpaceX rocket launch Sunday Oct. 7, 2018 from Westchester.
Daniel Barbier
A view of the SpaceX rocket launch Sunday Oct. 7, 2018 from San Jacinto.
Robyn Hernandez
A view of the SpaceX rocket launch Sunday Oct. 7, 2018 from Apple Valley.
Roberta Perkins
A view of the SpaceX rocket launch Sunday Oct. 7, 2018.
Mayor of LA
View of the sky over Los Angeles during SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launch.
Conan Nolan
View of the sky over Los Angeles during SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launch.
Kirsten Schieler
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James Q.
A view of the SpaceX rocket launch Sunday Oct. 7, 2018 from Lancaster.
Joel Grover
The SpaceX launch on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, as seen from Hancock Park.
If successful, Iridium will have a total of 75 new satellites in orbit, including nine spares.
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