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ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 6 (UPI) -- SpaceX launched the AMOS-17 communications satellite for Israeli company Spacecom from Florida on Tuesday evening despite an unfavorable weather outlook. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 7:23 p.m., a half hour later than originally scheduled, due to earlier rain and clouds in the area. The launch was from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Launch Complex 40.
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The rocket's first-stage booster flew twice before in 2018. It was intentionally not recovered this time due to the requirements for placing the satellite in orbit. SpaceX was trying to recover the fairing, or nose cone, halves after they fell into the ocean.
Spacecom calls the AMOS-17 the "most advanced satellite designed for Africa." It also will cover parts of Europe and the Middle East.
A prediction of late afternoon storms had prompted an Air Force weather forecast of 40 percent probability for favorable launch conditions.
The Israeli satellite, built by Boeing, was expected to deploy into orbit about 31 minutes after liftoff.
On Thursday, neighboring Launch Complex 41 is set up for an early morning launch carrying a U.S. Air Force communications satellite atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket.
