Scrub recap: Scroll down to review live updates from the Tuesday, Sept. 9, scrubbed launch attempt of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket — for the second straight night — on the Nusantara Lima mission from Cape Canaveral.
Original story: After Monday's weather-triggered scrub, SpaceX is now targeting 9:37 p.m. — more than 1½ hours later than initially scheduled — to try to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from rain- and cloud-shrouded Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY Space Team live coverage of tonight’s SpaceX Nusantara Lima mission from the Cape. If it lifts off, the Falcon 9 will deployan Indonesian communications satellitein geosynchronous transfer orbit.
But tonight's rainy forecast looks dismal. In fact, the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron had only forecasted a 15% chance of favorable weather early during the launch window, increasing to a mere 30% by the end.
Cumulus clouds, anvil clouds and surface electric fields loom as meteorological threats. No Brevard County sonic booms should occur. After soaring skyward due east, the rocket's first-stage booster will target landing aboard a SpaceX drone ship out at sea 8½ minutes after launch.
SpaceX now targeting Wednesday night for launch
Update 9:48 p.m.: SpaceX crews will make a third straight attempt to launch the Nusantara Lima satellite on Wednesday night. This new launch window will open at 8 p.m., per SpaceX's webcast commentator.
However, the 45th Weather Squadron's forecast only calls for 30% odds of favorable conditions early during Wednesday's launch window, increasing to 45% by the end.
Scrub!
Update 9:37 p.m.:SpaceX has just halted the Falcon 9 countdown with 29 seconds left, citing weather violations.
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch coming up
Update 9:30 p.m.:Seven minutes before SpaceX's Falcon 9 liftoff target, the countdown appears to be proceeding as planned.
Following is a list of key remaining countdown milestones. T-minus:
- 7 minutes:Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch.
- 1 minute:Command flight computer begins final prelaunch checks; propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins.
- 45 seconds:SpaceX launch director verifies “go for launch.”
- 3 seconds:Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start.
- 0 seconds:Falcon 9 liftoff.
SpaceX Nusantara Lima webcast begins
Update 9:23 p.m.: SpaceX's launch webcast is now posted above, right below our countdown clock.
Liftoff is scheduled in 14 minutes from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, weather permitting.
SpaceX rocket booster to land on drone ship
Update 9:15 p.m.:Tonight's mission will mark the Falcon 9 first-stage booster’s 23rd flight, SpaceX reported.
The booster previously flew Crew-6, SES O3b mPOWER-b, USSF-124, BlueBird 1-5 and 18 Starlink missions.
Following stage separation, crews expect the booster to land on the SpaceX drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean 8 minutes, 32 seconds after liftoff.
SpaceX rocket fueling is now underway
Update 9:06 p.m.:Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at Launch Complex 40, SpaceX just announced.
That means the Starlink mission countdown is locked in to lift off at 9:37 p.m.
"Teams are continuing to monitor weather, which is currently 40% favorable for liftoff," a SpaceX tweet said.
Rainfall thinning out at, near Cape Canaveral
Update 8:51 p.m.: Will SpaceX gain time to launch the Falcon 9 by 9:55 p.m.? This National Weather Service radar loop shows skies are clearing along a corridor between Cape Canaveral and Orlando — though fierce storms continue near Daytona Beach.
Boeing releases Nusantara Lima satellite images
Update 8:38 p.m.: Last month, Boeing Space officials released photos and information on the Nusantara Lima satellite.
Photos were taken from Boeing's factory in El Segundo, California.
SpaceX pushes back launch another 20 minutes
Update 8:24: SpaceX just moved back the liftoff target for the third time tonight. The new target is 9:37 p.m.
KSCVC prepares for Sunday's NASA CRS NG-23 mission
Update 8:15 p.m.: Earlier today, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex officials touted launch-viewing opportunities for Sunday's SpaceX Falcon 9 evening launch on NASA's CRS NG-23 mission.
The rocket will propel a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft to the International Space Station on a resupply mission.
Ominous update: Lightning watch issued until 10 p.m.
Update 8 p.m.: In a poor development for SpaceX's upcoming launch attempt, the 45th Weather Squadron has issued a Phase I lightning watch for all of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center until 10 p.m.
Tonight's Nusantara Lima launch window only extends until 9:55 p.m.
SpaceX pushes back launch target to 9:17 p.m.
Update 7:51 p.m.: SpaceX is now targeting 9:17 p.m. for liftoff. That represents a 30-minute delay.
Space Force rainy launch forecast details
Update 7:36 p.m.: More information from the 45th Weather Squadron's launch forecast, which also addressed Wednesday night's backup window:
"Deep atmospheric moisture will remain in place across Florida through early to mid-week. This, combined with a stalled front across northern FL and periods of instability aloft, will continue elevated chances of showers and storms for the primary and backup launch opportunities," the forecast said.
"Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph are possible near stronger storms," the forecast said.
On that note, a strong wind warning calling for 25-knot winds gusting to 35 knots has expired across Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard
Update 7:23 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.
Merritt Island flood advisory expires
Update 7 p.m.: The National Weather Service flood advisory for portions of Merritt Island south of the Beachline Expressway and west of Cape Canaveral-Cocoa Beach has expired, with up to 1 inch of additional rain expected.
SpaceX pushes back launch target to 8:47 p.m.
Update 6:49 p.m.: SpaceX crews have delayed tonight's target liftoff time by 45 minutes. The new time is 8:47 p.m.
SpaceX launch to be 77th of year from Space Coast
Update 6:38 p.m.:SpaceX's upcoming Falcon 9 launch will clock in as the 77th orbital rocket launch thus far during 2025 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
Click here for the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team's updating tally listing all of this year’s missions, complete with photo galleries and story links.
Will Cape Canaveral lightning watch end by 8 p.m.?
Update 6:24 p.m.: In a potentially significant move, meteorologists have terminated the Cape-wide Phase II lightning warning after a fierce storm pushed offshore. This storm cell ranged from Port Canaveral southward to Patrick Space Force Base, radar imagery indicates.
Now, the Cape's launch facilities are under a less-restrictive Phase I lightning until 8 p.m. — two minutes before the liftoff target. Phase I means lightning is forecast within five nautical miles within a 30-minute lead time.
Storms, rainfall bombarding Cape Canaveral
Update 6:15 p.m.: This National Weather Service radar loop from the Melbourne Orlando International Airport station shows the scope of widespread rainfall soaking East-Central Florida less than two hours ahead of SpaceX's target launch time.
Lightning warnings dominate Cape amid storms, rain
Update 6:02 p.m.: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center remain under a Phase II lightning warning until further notice.
A Phase II warning means lightning is imminent or occurring within five miles of the site. All lightning-sensitive operations are terminated until the warning is lifted, per policy.
For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visitfloridatoday.com/space. Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly Space newsletter.
Rick Nealeis a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale atRneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X:@RickNeale1
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