SpaceX and Blue Origin launch – live: Final rocket launch attempts cancelled but ULA attempt still on

SPACEX and Blue Origin launch: Falcon 9 rocket launch delayed and new shepard forced to cancel

A second attempt to launch the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will take place in Florida today, as Elon Musk’s private space firm aims to deliver a spy satellite into orbit for the US Air Force.

It is the first time SpaceX is launching a satellite for the US military, following an $83 million contract with the Air Force.

The satellite launch is scheduled for 9.07am EST (2.07pm GMT) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

It will be the first of three major rocket launches today, with Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin set to send its New Shepard capsule into the skies above West Texas just 19 minutes later.

A third launch is then planned from multinational satellite firm Arianespace and the US-based United Launch Alliance.

Follow all the latest news of the launches here.

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Key Points

• Four separate rocket launches were scheduled from SpaceX, Blue Origin, Arianespace and United Launch Alliance on Tuesday
• Only the ULA attempt is still on
• US Vice President Mike Pence expected to make an announcement about 'Space Force' programme
• Both SpaceX and Blue Origin cancelled Wednesday's launches

[19 December 2018 09:13 · anthony.cuthbertson]

More details about why the SpaceX launch was postponed have been given by Air Force Brigadier General Douglas Schiess.

"We saw some sensors... that gave us a little bit of an alarm so we decided to hold the launch at that time," he said.

"The team is always making sure we have mission assurance and safety as our main priorities. We did that today."

The Brigadier General said these issues may even push the launch delay beyond today.

[19 December 2018 09:18 · anthony.cuthbertson]

The Blue Origin launch has been rescheduled for Friday due to "a ground infrastructure issue".

[19 December 2018 10:31 · anthony.cuthbertson]

Whether or not the SpaceX launch does go ahead, US Vice President Mike Pence seems to have enjoyed his visit to Florida.

[19 December 2018 12:53 · anthony.cuthbertson]

SpaceX has officially cancelled today's launch attempt. 

"Standing down from today’s launch attempt of GPS III SV01 to further evaluate out of family reading on first stage sensors; will confirm a new launch date once complete," the firm announced on Twitter.

[19 December 2018 13:33 · anthony.cuthbertson]

There may be no SpaceX or Blue Origin launches today, but there is still one rocket set to launch. 

In just over 12 hours, the United Launch Alliance will make its second attempt to launch the NROL-71 payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Here's the details:

• Launch Time: 5:44 p.m. PST

• Launch Broadcast: Live commentary will begin at 5:24 p.m. PST

• Launch Location: Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

[19 December 2018 13:49 · anthony.cuthbertson]

This is what that the ULA launch site looked like yesterday before it was postponed.

T minus 11 hours and 55 minutes.

[19 December 2018 14:21 · anthony.cuthbertson]

Only Blue Origin has confirmed a rescheduled date for its postponed launch. No specific time is given, but we can expect to see another attempt on Friday, 21 December.

SpaceX says it will conduct further diagnostic tests before confirming a new launch date.