Watch live: SpaceX’s booster will likely crash, but it’s trying a landing anyway

The SES-9 on the pad. Weather conditions are 60 percent "go" for a launch on Wednesday. (credit: SpaceX)

Weather permitting, SpaceX will launch a commercial communications satellite, SES-9, to a geostationary transfer orbit on Wednesday at 6:46pm ET. The rocket company will try yet again to fly its booster back to an automated ship in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida.

However, because this is a high orbit (about 35,000km above the equator) and will require a heavy vehicle with more fuel and more speed, returning safely back to Earth is far from a sure thing. Still, the company says it will make another attempt at a historic first, landing an orbital rocket on a sea-based platform.

"The first stage of the Falcon 9 will attempt an experimental landing on the 'Of Course I Still Love You' droneship," SpaceX said in its press kit. "Given this mission’s unique GTO profile, a successful landing is not expected."

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