A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Intelsat Galaxy-31 & Galaxy-32 mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 11:06 a.m. on 12 November 2022.

The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Dragon's first crew demonstration mission, the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, SXM-7, and 10 Starlink missions. The rocket flew without grid fins or landing gear to lessen its weight and allow the fuel normally used for landing to be used to maximize the rocket's flight performance to get the satellites closer to their intended orbit making this a rare case where a Falcon 9 was flown in an expendable configuration. This will lessen the amount of fuel the satellites will have to use on their own to get to their final orbit.

Intelsat, operator of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network and leading provider of inflight connectivity, announced the successful launch of Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32, geosynchronous communications satellites that will ensure service continuity to Intelsat’s North American media customers.

The Maxar-manufactured Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32 satellites launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 11:06 a.m. EST.

Galaxy 31 separated from the vehicle at 11:46 a.m. EST, and Intelsat confirmed its signal acquisition at 11:59 a.m. EST. Galaxy 32 separated from the vehicle at 11:41 a.m. EST, and Intelsat confirmed its signal acquisition at 11:50 a.m. EST.

Galaxy 31 will replace Galaxy 23 at 121 degrees west and will begin service in early 2023. The satellite will provide distribution services to cable headends throughout the United States.

Galaxy 32 will replace the C-band payload of Galaxy 17 at 91 degrees west in early 2023. This satellite will provide service continuity for Intelsat’s media customers with high-performance distribution to viewers in North America.