The Falcon 9 rocket stands at Vandenberg Space Space Force Base with its military missile data transport and tracking satellites on board. After the auto-abort sequence halted the liftoff early Monday, crews will try again Tuesday morning.
The Falcon 9 rocket stands at Vandenberg Space Space Force Base with its military missile data transport and tracking satellites on board. After the auto-abort sequence halted the liftoff early Monday, crews will try again Tuesday morning. Credit: SpaceX photo

Less than a minute from liftoff early Monday, a Falcon 9 rocket’s countdown halted abruptly, pushing next attempt to Tuesday morning. 

The SpaceX rocket’s auto-abort command occurred at approximately 58 seconds before the planned liftoff.

“Keep in mind the purpose of the countdown is to help us catch potential issues prior to flight,” Annie Cui, SpaceX operations engineer, said after the halted countdown. 

Later Monday morning officials confirmed another liftoff attempt would occur as soon as early Tuesday.

“Vehicle and payload are in good health, and teams are reseting for a launch attempt no earlier than tomorrow, October 6,” SpaceX said.

The firm hasn’t explained the reason for the countdown stopped before liftoff.

Liftoff now is aiming for 1:17 a.m. Tuesday from Space Launch Complex-4 on South Base. However, SpaceX also says launch could occur between 12:59 and 1:21 a.m. 

Before the payload fairing halves are attached, a photo shows the stack of satellites awaiting launch aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
Before the payload fairing halves are attached, a photo shows the stack of satellites awaiting launch aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. Credit: SpaceX photo

More than seven minutes after blastoff, the first-stage booster will return to Vandenberg’s Landing Zone-4 just west of the launch site.

Residents in Santa Barbara County along with Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties may hear a sonic boom due to first-stage booster’s landing at Vandenberg.

The early morning departure time stems from the payload’s planned placement in orbit to ensure global coverage of the constellation, Space Development Agency officials said last week. 

The Falcon 9 rocket’s payload fairing, or nose cone, sports a sticker for Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 satellite mission.
The Falcon 9 rocket’s payload fairing, or nose cone, sports a sticker for Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 satellite mission. Credit: SpaceX photo

The 21 satellites are part of the fourth Tranche 1 data transport portion of SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, or network of optically connected satellites for military tactical communications and missile warning, indication, and tracking capabilities. 

Three prior launches from Vandenberg for Tranche 1 placed more than 60 satellites in orbit. 

SpaceX said that, if needed, the team has another backup opportunity at 1:02 a.m. Wednesday.

A live webcast of the mission is scheduled to begin about 10 minutes before liftoff at spacex.com/launches and on X @SpaceX.

To watch the liftoff and landing in person, the Lompoc Valley has multiple locations offering views of the launch pad. Those include the peak of Harris Grade Road, west of Lompoc’s city limits and around Vandenberg Village, including near the intersection of Moonglow and Stardust roads. 

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.