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Launch recap: Scroll down to review live updates from the Monday, Dec. 16, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on the secretive RRT-1 mission.

Original story: Look for a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to take flight today at 7:52 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY Space Team live coverage of tonight’s secretive SpaceX RRT-1 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

After a Friday the 13th scrub attributed to high winds, SpaceX crews aim to send the Falcon 9 into low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 40 as weather forecasts continue to improve.

The Falcon 9 will ascend on a northeasterly trajectory, then deploy a Lockheed Martin-built GPS III satellite for the Space Force's Global Positioning System, according to numerous space websites.

No Central Florida sonic booms are expected. Rather the rocket's first-stage booster will target landing aboard a SpaceX drone ship out at sea 8½ minutes after liftoff.

"Weather is 75% favorable for liftoff and teams continue to monitor (booster) recovery weather," SpaceX officials announced in a late-night Sunday tweet.

SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands

Update 8 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX's drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean, completing its fourth mission.

The booster previously launched NASA's Crew-9 astronauts and two Starlink missions.

Liftoff!

Update 7:52 p.m.: Liftoff! SpaceX has just launched the Falcon 9 carrying a secretive payload from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

SpaceX launch weather improves at Cape Canaveral

Update 7:47 p.m.: Practically all of the rain showers near northern Brevard County have swept westward past Cape Canaveral, this National Weather Service radar loop from the Melbourne Orlando International Airport station shows.

SpaceX launch webcast begins

Update 7:42 p.m.: SpaceX's launch webcast is now posted above, right below our countdown clock.

Liftoff is scheduled in 10 minutes from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

SpaceX Falcon 9 launch countdown

Update 7:30 p.m.: Here's a rundown of SpaceX’s behind-the-scenes countdown timeline during and after the rocket fueling process. T-minus:

SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling about to begin

Update 7:19 p.m.: SpaceX just announced Falcon 9 fueling procedures are about to begin at Launch Complex 40 — "and teams are keeping an eye on weather."

That means tonight’s RRT-1 mission countdown is now locked in to lift off at 7:52 p.m. without any delays, or else the launch must be postponed.

SpaceX pushes back liftoff by one minute

Update 7:08 p.m.: SpaceX officials have moved back the target launch time one minute, to 7:52 p.m.

Space Force GPS III satellite video

Update 7:04 p.m.: In December 2018, Lockheed Martin Space released this animated video depicting a GPS III satellite in orbit.

Will rainfall impact SpaceX launch plan?

Update 6:50 p.m.: Prolific rain showers are sweeping onshore across northern Brevard County and southern Volusia County, as seen on this radar loop from the National Weather Service station at Melbourne Orlando International Airport.

Space Force launch weather forecast

Update 6:37 p.m.: The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron pegged the odds of "go for launch" weather at 75%.

Fast-moving showers have swept across the Space Coast from east to west throughout the day. A coastal surface trough developed along Florida's East Coast, accompanied by increased moisture fromthe Southeast, the squadron's forecast said.

"This will bring scattered onshore moving showers throughout the afternoon and evening hours. Theseshowers introduce the main concern of the Cumulus Cloud Rule if they were to move through the flight path," the forecast said.

"While sustained winds are generally expected to remain below liftoff constraints, a gust associated with a shower could briefly elevate winds near limits," the forecast said.

SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard

Update 6:22 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.

For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.

SpaceX scrubbed the planned launch of the mysterious RRT-1 mission from Florida's Space Coast on Friday (Dec. 13)_ due to high winds.

A Falcon 9 rocket had been scheduled to lift off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Friday at 8:04 p.m. EDT (0104 GMT on Dec. 14), kicking off a mission that SpaceX calls RRT-1.

But SpaceX called off the attempt due to high winds. "Teams will continue to keep a close eye on the weather as we work toward the next best launch opportunity. A new target launch date will be shared once available," the company said via X on Friday night.

Many space observers think the RRT-1 mission will send an advanced GPS satellite to orbit — specifically, GPS 3-10, another member of the venerable navigation network's third generation of spacecraft. SpaceX holds a contract to launch three of these satellites for the U.S. military and has already sent one of them aloft, in January 2023.

Related: SpaceX launches advanced GPS satellite for US Space Force, nails the landing

But SpaceX's mission description doesn't say anything about GPS satellites; it doesn't even explain what RRT-1 stands for, if that name is indeed an acronym. And the fairing that surrounds and protects the RRT-1 payload apparently features no artwork or logos, a departure from the norm that adds to the intrigue.

If all goes according to plan on RRT-1, the Falcon 9's first stage will come back to Earth about 8.5 minutes after launch, touching down on the drone ship "A Shortfall of Gravitas" in the Atlantic Ocean. It will be the fourth liftoff and landing for this particular booster, according to SpaceX's mission description.

The rocket's upper stage, meanwhile, will deploy the RRT-1 payload, whatever it may be, into orbit about 90 minutes after launch.

Editor's note: This story was updated at 8:55 p.m. ET on Dec. 13 with news of the launch scrub.

Scrub recap: Scroll down for updates from the scrubbed RRT-1 mission on Friday, December 13 from Cape Canaveral.

SpaceX, undeterred by superstition, was set for a Friday the 13th launch day. However, the weather was not on their side.

SpaceX had confirmed they were targeting 8:05 p.m. for the launch of the RRT-1 mision, and had started fueling. However, that fueling had stopped shortly afterward. SpaceX had stated prior to fueling that weather conditions had dropped to only 50% favorable.

Just after 8:30 p.m., SpaceX posted to X that high winds were the reasoning behind the scrub.

SpaceX has yet to confirm a new launch date.

The launch will be from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) which is located just south of Kennedy Space Center.

This mission will be a GPS III satellite built by Lockheed Martin for the US Space Force's Global Positioning System.

When to see a Florida LaunchIs there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Blue Origin, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida

SpaceX SCRUB!

Update 7:58 p.m.: SpaceX has not yet confirmed, however fueling has stopped and the Brevard EOC has deactivated with the scrub.

SpaceX weather outlook - Possible Scrub

Update 7:49 p.m.: SpaceX appears to have stopped fueling. Weather had dropped to only 50% favorable.

SpaceX first stage booster launch from Florida

Update 7:41 p.m.: The SpaceX Falcon 9 booster launching tonight will be seeing its fourth flight. Previous launches include two Starlink missions as well as NASA's Crew-9.

SpaceX fueling ahead of Florida Falcon 9 launch

Update 7:33 p.m.: SpaceX has yet to confirm, but visual cues indicate that SpaceX is fueling. This means SpaceX must launch at 8:05 p.m. or stand down for the day.

Brevard EOC activates ahead of Friday the 13th SpaceX launch

Update 7:28 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.

SpaceX Starship update

Update 7:20 p.m.: SpaceX posted an update on Dec. 11 stating that the Starship for Flight 7 is about to see testing. There is currently no set launch date.

Tonight's SpaceX booster landing drone ship

Update 7:09 p.m.: The 101st SpaceX booster landing of the year will occur on A Shortfall of Gravitas, which is waiting out on the Atlantic Ocean. This means there will not be a local Florida sonic boom.

The launch will travel on a northeast trajectory, therefore those north of Brevard may get a good view.

SpaceX launch from Cape Canaveral launch time

Update 7:00 p.m.: SpaceX has updated the liftoff time on their website a minute forward − they are now targeting 8:05 p.m..

SpaceX completes 100th drone ship landing of 2024

Update 6:50 p.m.: SpaceX launched another Friday the 13th rocket earlier this evening from California − and it was lucky! With the landing of that booster, SpaceX saw their 100th landing of the year.

SpaceX launch from Florida weather

Update 6:35 p.m.: Skies are cloudy in Brevard county, and wind gusts can be heard. The 45th Weather Squadron gives this launch a forecasted 80% chance of favorable weather, however, the booster recovery conditions are moderate.

Weather conditions must be good in both the launch and booster recovery area − which will be in the Atlantic Ocean to the north of Florida, as the launch tonight will travel on a northeast trajectory.

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.

Update 8:37 p.m. EST (0137 UTC): SpaceX cited high winds as the reason for the scrub of the launch of the RRT-1 mission.

SpaceX scrubbed the planned launch of a payload that has not been officially identified.

The mission, according to SpaceX and the FAA is being referred to as “RRT-1.” Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station was set for 8:05 p.m. EST (0105 UTC). In a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, said “Teams will continue to keep a close eye on the weather as we work toward the next best launch opportunity.”

“A new target launch date will be shared once available,” SpaceX wrote.

On Thursday, the 45th Weather Squadron issued a launch weather forecast suggesting an 80 percent chance of acceptable weather for liftoff on Friday. Meteorologists listed liftoff winds and cumulus clouds as the primary concerns.

It also stated that the booster recovery weather was a “moderate” risk on a scale of low-moderate-high. If the launch slips to Saturday, the next available launch opportunity, the booster recovery weather becomes a “high” risk and the chance of favorable weather slips to 60 percent.

“Strong onshore flow with coastal showers will be the weather pattern for the launch and backup days after a cold front passed through yesterday,” launch weather officers wrote. “Behind the front, a very strong area of high pressure is building into the eastern US, creating a very tight pressure gradient through the end of the week and into the weekend.

“This will bring elevated east-northeasterly winds along with isolated coastal showers tomorrow evening.”

The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, tail number B1085 in the SpaceX fleet, will launch for a fourth time. It previously supported the launches of Crew-9 as well as Starlink 10-5 and Starlink 6-77.

Roughly 8.5 minutes after liftoff, B1085 will touchdown on the SpaceX droneship, ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas.’ If successful, it will mark the 90th booster landing on ASOG and the 383rd booster landing to date.

Mystery payload

Prior to the launch, neither SpaceX nor the mission’s customer made a public statement about what payload was onboard the Friday night Falcon 9 flight.

Some speculated online that it was a third-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite manufactured by Lockheed Martin. A point of rationale is the mission timeline for RRT-1 is strikingly similar to that of the last GPS 3 Space Vehicle to launch, GPS 3 SV06, which launched on Jan. 18, 2023.

Another data point is that the hazard warnings are also reminiscent of the SV06 launch.

And a fresh evidence supporting this idea is the launch timeline – it’s almost exactly the same as well (GPS III SV06 on the left, “RRT-1” on the right). pic.twitter.com/FqPVIdME7V

— Cosmic Penguin (@Cosmic_Penguin) December 13, 2024

However, the Falcon 9 second stage on this mission has a grey band around it, which is used to help regulate the temperature of the propellant on the upper stage. Typically, that’s used for missions with significantly long coast phases, like those launching on a direct to geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) or a highly-elliptical Earth orbit (HEO).

If the payload is a GPS satellite it would be destined for a medium Earth orbit (MEO) about 12,500 miles in altitude.

According to the list of National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 contract launches assigned to SpaceX, the only ones named as GPS missions are GPS 3 SV10 and GPS 3 F-1, the latter of which is the next generation of GPS satellite and will launch on a Falcon Heavy.

If this is in fact a mission on behalf of the U.S. Space Force, SpaceX does have a number of other missions listed under this procurement process that haven’t launched. Those include USSF-36, USSF-31 and USSF-70.

The RRT-1 mission wasn’t brought up as a topic of discussion during the three-day Space Force Association’s Spacepower Conference, which wrapped up on Thursday.

GPS powers everything from power grids to emergency services. We’re evolving GPS to stay ahead—fortifying civilian infrastructure and military operations with advanced signals, jam resistance and more. Click to learn how GPS shapes our world: ????

— Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) December 10, 2024

An unidentified space company plans to invest about $1.8 billion in capital improvements and create 600 jobs by developing a high-volume production facility, high bay and launch infrastructure for heavy-lift rocket hardware at Cape Canaveral, a Space Florida agenda memo indicates.

Space Florida officials declined to divulge further details on the colossal undertaking — which dwarfs most Brevard County secretive aerospace projects in scope.

What is the unidentified company? An obvious contender is SpaceX: Company officials hope to start launching Starship-Super Heavy mega-rocket systems from the Space Coast by 2026. An environmental study remains ongoing to rebuild Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for Starship launch and landing operations.

Other smaller space companies are also chasing heavy-lift rocket development, but remain in the early stages. Blue Origin is the notable exception, with its first 320-foot-plus New Glenn rocket standing vertical at the pad awaiting its maiden launch.

Rocket photography:FLORIDA TODAY's 2025 Space Launch Calendar is here

Here's what we know: The Space Florida board of directors, which is chaired by Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nun?ez, will discuss the proposed construction — which bears the secretive code name "Project Hinton" — during a special meeting Wednesday afternoon.

The agenda memo said the 600 jobs will boast estimated annual salaries of $93,000. Project Hinton will enable rapid manufacturing, assembly, and integration of heavy-lift flight hardware — and "significantly increase the volume and mass of payload to orbit from Florida."

"Time is of the essence due to significant customer demand driven by a considerable increase in space-based activities. Company plans to begin ordering of long-lead items and construction in January 2025," the memo said.

By way of comparison, Blue Origin invested more than $1 billion revamping Launch Complex 36 — a former Atlas rocket pad — by building vehicle integration, first-stage refurbishment, propellant facilities and an environmental control center, per the company website. Construction wrapped up in 2021 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Regarding Project Hinton, the Space Florida board is expected to consider:

The unidentified company applied for funding via the Florida Spaceport Improvement Program, in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation.

In an August vote, Space Florida authorized negotiations with FDOT for Project Liftoff. That was SpaceX's plan to construct three new rocket landing zones at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

SpaceX and FDOT were each expected to pay $13.3 million, with infrastructure project completion scheduled by the end of 2026.

For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.

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

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.