Cape Canaveral, United States - January 03, 2025 SpaceX launched its first Falcon 9 rocket of 2025 on January 3, sending the Thuraya 4 communications satellite into orbit. The rocket lifted off at 8:27 p.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking the beginning of what is expected to be another busy year for the company. The Thuraya 4 satellite, operated by Space42, will provide mobile communications across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for both commercial and government customers. In a flawless mission, the Falcon 9 booster successfully returned to Earth, landing aboard the droneship "A Shortfall of Gravitas" in the Atlantic Ocean. This was the 20th flight and recovery of the booster, contributing to SpaceX's 341st recovery of an orbital-class rocket. After separating from the rocket's second stage, the Thuraya 4 satellite was deployed into geostationary transfer orbit, where it will soon reach its geosynchronous orbit above Earth. This mission marks SpaceX's 418th Falcon 9 launch and 435th overall. Thuraya 4, built by Airbus, will offer advanced AI-powered services, expanding Space42's capabilities in the satellite and space services sector.