SpaceX successfully launches 10 Iridium-NEXT satellites aboard the Falcon 9

American aerospace company **SpaceX** on Friday successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 10 telecommunications satellites from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in Southern California. [caption id=“attachment_4126987” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Falcon 9 rocket. Image: SpaceX[/caption] The **Iridium-NEXT** satellites were launched Friday morning for McLean, Virginia-based satellite operator Iridium Communications, Efe reported. The Iridium-5 NEXT Mission marked the fifth set of 10 satellites that Elon Musk’s SpaceX has launched for its customer’s Iridium NEXT global satellite constellation. The contract calls for SpaceX to launch a total of 75 satellites for Iridium. The launch took place on schedule at 7.13 a.m. “Successful deployment of all 10 @IridiumComm NEXT satellites to low-Earth orbit confirmed,” Musk’s company said on Twitter. SpaceX’s next launch is scheduled for April 2, when another Falcon 9 rocket will be used in a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. That rocket is scheduled to lift off Monday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, Florida.