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

[18 December 2018 13:59 · anthony.cuthbertson]

Right after SpaceX's launch delay announcement, Blue Origin has announced a launch cancellation. 

[18 December 2018 14:24 · anthony.cuthbertson]

 Just under 10 minutes to go now until the SpaceX launch. 

As promised, here's a link to the live stream:

[18 December 2018 14:28 · anthony.cuthbertson]

There appears to be a problem, the launch countdown has been paused.

[18 December 2018 14:30 · anthony.cuthbertson]

Launch cancelled.

[18 December 2018 14:33 · anthony.cuthbertson]

No details have been given as to why the SpaceX launch is "scrubbed", though unfavourable wind conditions were the reason behind the previous delay.

The launch will now be pushed back to the backup time of 9.07am EST (2.07pm GMT) tomorrow, 19 December.

[18 December 2018 14:53 · anthony.cuthbertson]

Here's the reason for the launch being postponed, according to SpaceX: 

[18 December 2018 15:07 · anthony.cuthbertson]

We've still got two more launches scheduled for today, hopefully they won't be cancelled.

• Arianespace spy satellite launch, Kourou, French Guiana – 11.37am EST (4.37pm GMT)

• United Launch Alliance classified cargo launch, Vandenberg Air Force Base in California – 8.57pm EST (1.57am GMT, 19 December)

[18 December 2018 16:42 · anthony.cuthbertson]

The Arianespace launch has also been cancelled today due to weather conditions. 

The firm said in a statement: "Due to unfavorable high-altitude wind conditions above the Guiana Space Center, Arianespace’s VS20 mission – initially scheduled for today, December 18 – has been postponed by 24 hours."

That's three out of four launches postponed today. Only one remaining...

[18 December 2018 17:44 · anthony.cuthbertson]

Fortunately the final launch appears to still be on track:

[18 December 2018 22:40 · anthony.cuthbertson]

While we wait for the launches, here's a look at how SpaceX could disrupt construction of Donald Trump's border wall with Mexico: