A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station sending the Thaicom-8 telecommunications satellite into orbit at 5:39 p.m. on 27 May 2016. The rocket passed through a scattered cloud deck on its way to orbit. The Falcon 9 first stage succeeded in its experimental attempt to land on the “Of Course I Still Love You” barge / droneship positioned approximately 400 miles east of Cape Canaveral.

Thaicom provides commercial satellite communications services for Asia. The Thaicom 8 satellite, built by Orbital ATK, will provide broadcast and data services throughout South Asia and Southeast Asia.