Scrub recap: Scroll down to review live updates from the Monday, Sept. 8, scrubbed liftoff attempt of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on the Nusantara Lima mission.

Original story: Will widespread precipitation rain out tonight’s rocket launch? After four delays, SpaceX is now targeting 9:54 p.m. to send up a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY Space Team live coverage of tonight’s SpaceX mission. The Falcon 9 will deploy the Nusantara Lima communications satellite in geosynchronous transfer orbit.

This Boeing-built satellite will operate for Pasifik Satelit Nusantara, Indonesia’s first satellite-based private telecommunications company.

But persistent rain and storms pose a threat — and tonight’s launch window expires at 9:58 p.m. The Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron only forecasted a 30% chance of “go for launch” weather early during the 116-minute window, increasing to 45% 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, the rocket’s first-stage booster will target landing aboard a SpaceX drone ship out at sea 8½ minutes after liftoff.

When SpaceX’s live webcast begins about 15 minutes before liftoff, we’ll post it below next to our countdown clock.  

Update 9:27 p.m.: In a tweet, SpaceX officials just announced that tonight’s Nusantara Lima launch attempt was halted “due to unfavorable weather conditions at the launch site.”

Due to unfavorable weather conditions at the launch site, now targeting Tuesday, September 9 for launch of the Nusantara Lima mission from Florida → https://t.co/JJbij7Vd9w

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 9, 2025

Update 9:12 p.m.: SpaceX is now targeting 8:01 p.m. Tuesday for liftoff, and the launch window will last for 116 minutes.

9/8/25 9:23 PM | We have deactivated our launch operations support team after a scrubbed launch of the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket.

— Brevard EOC (@BrevardEOC) September 9, 2025

Update 9:08 p.m.: SpaceX’s online countdown clock has halted at the 48:22 mark amid rainy weather conditions.

No word yet on whether tonight’s launch was scrubbed — but that scenario appears likely. The mission’s backup 116-minute launch window would open at 8:01 p.m. Tuesday.

Update 8:59 p.m.: Rough pre-launch weather continues. A Phase II lightning warning is now in effect for all of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

That Phase II warning means lightning is imminent or occurring within five miles. All lightning-sensitive operations are terminated until the warning is lifted, per policy.

Update 8:51 p.m.: Widening the lens, this National Weather Service regional radar loop shows the scope of tonight’s ongoing rainfall and thunderstorms across the Sunshine State.

Update 8:27 p.m.: In an ominous weather update, the 45th Weather Squadron has issued a Phase I lightning watch for the Space Force installation and NASA’s neighboring Kennedy Space Center until 10 p.m. — beyond the expiration of tonight’s launch window.

A Phase I watch means lightning is forecast within five nautical miles after a 30-minute lead time.

Update 8:11 p.m.: SpaceX is now targeting 9:54 p.m. for liftoff, just four minutes from the conclusion of tonight’s launch window.

Update 8 p.m.: This National Weather Service radar loop illustrates why SpaceX keeps pushing back tonight’s target launch time — which was initially scheduled for 8:02 p.m.

Update 7:46 p.m.: SpaceX is now targeting 9:32 p.m. for liftoff.

This marks the third 30-minute delay of the evening.

Update 7:42 p.m.: The Phase II lightning warning now includes the Launch and Landing Facility until further notice, joining the Mid-Course Radar Facilty north of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

A Phase II advisory means lightning is imminent or occurring within five miles of the site. All lightning-sensitive operations are terminated until the advisory is lifted, per NASA policy.

Update 7:28 p.m.: SpaceX crews have announced the second 30-minute countdown delay of this soggy evening.

New target liftoff time: 9:02 p.m. As a reminder, tonight’s launch window expires at 9:58 p.m.

Update 7:15 p.m.: More details from the 45th Weather Squadron’s forecast narrative:

“Deep atmospheric moisture will remain entrenched across Florida into early next week. At thesurface, a weak boundary will oscillate across Central Florida before being replaced by a stronger incoming front by the middle of next week,” the narrative said.

“Troughing over the Great Lakes States extending southward into the Gulf is also contributingto a rather messy weather pattern,” the narrative said.

The squadron expected mid-level flow pushing inland storms toward the spaceport in afternoon and evening — and National Weather Service radar is confirming that precipitation pattern.

Mon. Sep. 8th | A frontal boundary across central Florida along with a very moist airmass will help to maintain above normal chances (80%) for showers and lightning storms. Primary storm threats include lightning strikes, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall. Highs: mid to upper 80s. pic.twitter.com/XVJ0LdaOhT

— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) September 8, 2025

Update 7:01 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency’s launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.

9/8/25 6:53 PM | We have activated our launch operations support team in preparation for the SpaceX Falcon9 launch. Window: 7:52 PM – 10:08 PM pic.twitter.com/f7vFA4H5xG

— Brevard EOC (@BrevardEOC) September 8, 2025

Update 6:50 p.m.: It appears SpaceX is now targeting 8:32 p.m. for liftoff, 30 minutes after tonight’s launch window opened.

Update 6:44 p.m.: National Weather Service radar from the Melbourne Orlando International Airport station shows widespread rainfall drenching Florida’s East Coast from St Augustine southward to Fort Lauderdale.

Update 6:28 p.m.: A Phase II lightning warning remains in effect until further notice at the Mid-Course Radar Facilty north of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

A Phase II advisory means lightning is imminent or occurring within five miles of the site. All lightning-sensitive operations are terminated until the advisory is lifted, per NASA policy.

For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space. Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly Space newsletter.

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

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