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.<\/p>\n
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<\/a> from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.<\/p>\n Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY Space Team live coverage of tonight\u2019s SpaceX mission. The Falcon 9 will deploy the Nusantara Lima communications satellite<\/a> in geosynchronous transfer orbit.<\/p>\n This Boeing-built satellite will operate for Pasifik Satelit Nusantara, Indonesia’s first satellite-based private telecommunications company.<\/p>\n But persistent rain and storms pose a threat \u2014 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.<\/p>\n 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 8\u00bd minutes after liftoff.<\/p>\n When SpaceX’s live webcast begins about 15 minutes before liftoff, we\u2019ll post it below next to our countdown clock. \u00a0<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n Due to unfavorable weather conditions at the launch site, now targeting Tuesday, September 9 for launch of the Nusantara Lima mission from Florida \u2192 https:\/\/t.co\/JJbij7Vd9w<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 9, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 9\/8\/25 9:23 PM | We have deactivated our launch operations support team after a scrubbed launch of the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket.<\/p>\n \u2014 Brevard EOC (@BrevardEOC) September 9, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Update 9:08 p.m.: SpaceX’s online countdown clock has halted at the 48:22 mark amid rainy weather conditions.<\/p>\n No word yet on whether tonight’s launch was scrubbed \u2014 but that scenario appears likely. The mission’s backup 116-minute launch window would open at 8:01 p.m. Tuesday.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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. \u2014 beyond the expiration of tonight’s launch window.<\/p>\n A Phase I watch means lightning is forecast within five nautical miles after a 30-minute lead time.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Update 8 p.m.: This National Weather Service radar loop illustrates why SpaceX keeps pushing back tonight’s target launch time \u2014 which was initially scheduled for 8:02 p.m.<\/p>\n Update 7:46 p.m.: SpaceX is now targeting 9:32 p.m. for liftoff.<\/p>\n This marks the third 30-minute delay of the evening.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Update 7:28 p.m.: SpaceX crews have announced the second 30-minute countdown delay of this soggy evening.<\/p>\n New target liftoff time: 9:02 p.m. As a reminder, tonight’s launch window expires at 9:58 p.m.<\/p>\n Update 7:15 p.m.: More details from the 45th Weather Squadron’s forecast narrative:<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “Troughing over the Great Lakes States extending southward into the Gulf is also contributingto a rather messy weather pattern,” the narrative said.<\/p>\n The squadron expected mid-level flow pushing inland storms toward the spaceport in afternoon and evening \u2014 and National Weather Service radar is confirming that precipitation pattern.<\/p>\n 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) September 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Update 7:01 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency’s launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX\u2019s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.<\/p>\n 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Brevard EOC (@BrevardEOC) September 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit\u00a0floridatoday.com\/space<\/a>. Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly Space newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rick Neale<\/a>\u00a0is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com<\/a>. Twitter\/X:\u00a0@RickNeale1<\/a><\/p>\n