World's first all-electric satellites go into orbit

Lightweight alternatives to usual chemical propulsion systems should cut launch costs

A Space Exploration Technologies rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Sunday to put the world's first all - electric communications satellites into orbit.

The 22-story-tall booster soared off its seaside launchpad at 10:50 am US Eastern Standard Time (11:50 pm Sunday, China time), the third flight in less than two months for SpaceX, as the privately owned, California-based company is known.