SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Rocket Launch Delayed by Ground Issue
SpaceX’s highly anticipated Falcon Heavy rocket launch, scheduled to carry the U.S. Space Force’s robotic X-37B space plane, has been delayed once again. The launch, known as USSF-52, was set to take place on Monday night in Florida but was scrubbed about 30 minutes before liftoff due to a ground side issue.
In a tweet, SpaceX announced the delay, stating that the vehicle and payload remain healthy and that the team is resetting for the next launch opportunity, which is now scheduled for the following night.
The launch of USSF-52 will mark the seventh mission for the reusable X-37B, a 29-foot-long space plane primarily used as a testbed for new technologies. The specifics of the mission, like most X-37B missions, are classified.
This mission will be the first X-37B launch atop a Falcon Heavy rocket, which has flown eight times to date, including four times this year. The rocket was last used in October to launch NASA’s Psyche asteroid probe.
Despite the delay, space enthusiasts can still look forward to the exciting launch, which will push the space plane higher than ever before and include experiments such as exposing plant seeds to the harsh environment of space.
Originally scheduled for Sunday, the Falcon Heavy launch was pushed back to Monday due to weather concerns before being delayed once again by a ground side issue. SpaceX will continue to update the public on the status of the next launch opportunity.