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SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket in California

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — SpaceX launched a rocket carrying 10 communications satellites from an Air Force base in California, just two days after a successful satellite launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off as scheduled at 4:25 p.m. EST Sunday from Vandenberg Air Force Base, carrying 10 more satellites for Iridium Communications, which is replacing its entire constellation with next-generation satellites.

The launch was live-streamed on the WFTV Facebook page and the SpaceX website.

Iridium plans to launch a total of 75 new satellites for its mobile voice and data communications system by mid-2018.

SpaceX launched a Bulgarian communications satellite into orbit from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Friday afternoon.

The launch from pad 39A had been scheduled for this past Monday, but it was delayed because of issues with a valve on the Falcon 9 rocket.

The BulgariaSat 1 will provide television broadcast and data communication services over southeast Europe, officials said.

Following the launch, the rocket booster successfully landed on the floating pad. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk cautioned that the booster may not make it back because of re-entry force and heat in Brevard County.

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