CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX said it is standing down on its launch planned from the Space Coast on Thursday.
The company is working to send a secret spy satellite into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office.
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The three-hour launch window at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station opened at 9 a.m. and was called off just after 11 a.m. Officials said they will stand down for 24 hours, opening their next launch window at 9 a.m. Friday.
The company said the rocket auto-abort called with less than two minutes remaining. SpaceX said it was due to a second stage sensor reading.
Falcon 9 auto-abort called at T-1:53 due to a second stage sensor reading. Today’s launch window closes at 12:00 p.m. EST.
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 17, 2020
They said the vehicle and payload are in good health.
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Targeting 9:45 a.m. EST for today's launch of NROL-108 to allow some weather to pass
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 17, 2020
After the launch, the Falcon 9 booster will return to a landing site there instead of landing on a barge in the ocean.
Targeting Thursday, December 17 for Falcon 9 launch of NROL-108 for @NatReconOfc. The three-hour launch window opens at 9:00 a.m. EST, and weather is 70% favorable → https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK pic.twitter.com/DiHn8DMfiU
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 17, 2020
The launch could be the last of 2020.
Gorillas are peaceful animals but can be fierce when necessary. Like the gorilla, our #NROL108 mission is constantly vigilant and ready to defend its own, demonstrating NRO's commitment to protecting U.S. warfighters, interests, and allies. Launch scheduled NET Dec. 17 w/ @SpaceX pic.twitter.com/M5k7obXk08
— NRO (@NatReconOfc) December 14, 2020
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Channel 9 will show the launch on-air and online. Click here to watch it if it happens.
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