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Communications satellite launched into space

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A communications satellite has been launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
 
An unmanned Falcon 9 rocket lifted off early Tuesday morning, lighting up the night sky.
 
The rocket carried the Asiasat-8 spacecraft which will support direct broadcasting, private networks and broadband connectivity for customers in China, India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The four beam satellite will join a constellation of other satellites in geostationary orbit serving various parts of the eastern hemisphere.
 
This is the 11th flight for the Falcon 9, the second in less than a month.
 
An abort was called due to technical issues seconds before a lift off at the beginning of the window around 1:30 a.m., followed by a scrub. After evaluating situation launch officials decided to make a second attempt. The rocket launched at 4 a.m.