SpaceX Rocket Launch Delayed Seconds Before Liftoff

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launch was called off for a third time Sunday just seconds before liftoff.

A boat in restricted water near the launch site, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, threw off the timing of the launch, which was then aborted because of technical problems with the propellant, The Christian Science Monitor reported.

SpaceX Founder and CEO Elon Musk explained the scrubbed launch on Twitter.

@SpaceX Launch aborted on low thrust alarm. Rising oxygen temps due to hold for boat and helium bubble triggered alarm.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 29, 2016

“The rogue boat threw off the timing of the already precarious routine of chilling the liquid oxygen propellant the company is now using to fuel Falcon 9, and loading it onto the rocket within a short window before launch,” The Christian Science Monitor said.

Sunday’s event was the third failed launch of a telecommunications satellite. Each failed launch was attributed to problems with the Falcon 9’s new cryogenic propellant.

SpaceX will attempt to land the rocket on an ocean barge after the satellite is delivered to orbit, a move that is hoped to cut costs and help the company’s progression toward a mission to Mars, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Sunday’s liftoff time was delayed by 35 minutes because of the boat, Space.com reported.

@SpaceX AF has placed launch on hold due to a boat entering the edge of the keep out zone. Scrambling helo to get them to move.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 28, 2016

The 12,000-pound satellite SpaceX is attempting to deliver to orbit is its heaviest load ever. The satellite is owned by Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES and will provide Internet and television services.

Another attempt isn’t expected before Tuesday.

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