Indonesian communications satellite launched by SpaceX rocket

A Father’s Day launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral hauled into orbit a European-built communications satellite, the centerpiece of a nearly $550 million project to provide internet service to rural Indonesia, Report informs, citing foreign media sources.

The 4.6-metric ton (10,100-pound) spacecraft, known as SATRIA, lifted off atop SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 6:21 p.m. EDT (2221 UTC) Sunday.

The SATRIA satellite will provide about 150 gigabits per second of communications throughout when it begins service around November.