January 31, 2013

The TDRS-K satellite in a processing hangar before its launch (Photo NASA/Jim Grossmann)

A few hours ago the TDRS-K satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral and after a couple of hours it separated from the Centaur, the upper stage of the rocket, to enter geosynchronous orbit, where it will begin its work. The TDRS satellites are identified by a letter before becoming operational and by a number when they start working. Therefore, the TDRS-K satellite will become TDRS-11.