Aircraft in no-fly zone scrubs Tuesday's SpaceX launch; Wednesday is next attempt

FAA: Helicopter forces launch scrub

The Federal Aviation Administration says it was a privately-owned helicopter that forced a SpaceX launch to be scrubbed on Tuesday. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was not happy about it, taking to Twitter about the no fly zone around the launch pad.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - It was a no-go for launch Tuesday afternoon for SpaceX.

With just 11 seconds on the clock, the launch was scrubbed.

The announcer on SpaceX's livestream said an aircraft may have been in the vicinity of the Falcon 9 rocket.

SpaceX tweeted, "Hold called due to Range being no-go; teams are setting up for tomorrow's backup opportunity [sic]"

Elon Musk confirmed that an aircraft was in the no-fly zone.

Steve Kulm, a public affairs specialist for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), sent FOX 35 this statement:

"A privately operated helicopter violated a restricted area in the final seconds before a scheduled launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida this afternoon. Air traffic controllers immediately directed the pilot to leave the area. For safety and security reasons, the launch was scrubbed until tomorrow."

SpaceX will try again on Wednesday at around the same time for launch, which was supposed to be 2:56 p.m.

If it does, the rocket's booster will land back at the Cape, not on a barge, which is more common.

The landing will cause a sonic boom, which you may hear and feel in Central Florida.

The Transporter 2 mission is expected to carry 88 small satellites into orbit.

When the launch happens, you can watch it live by downloading the FOX 35 News App. Download for iOS or Android.

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