UPDATED 9:35 PM ET Jan. 03, 2025 PUBLISHED 1:47 PM ET Jan. 03, 2025 PUBLISHED 1:47 PM EST Jan. 03, 2025 SHARE CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX executed its first Falcon 9 launch of 2025, sending the Thuraya 4-NGS communication satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The company opened the four-hour launch window at 8:27 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3. The famed rocket launched the Space42 Thuraya 4 mission from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Use the video player above to watch Friday night's launch. The 45th Weather Squadron had given around a 90% chance of good liftoff conditions, with the only concern being liftoff winds. This was be the 20th flight for the Falcon 9 stage booster, B1073, including: SES-22