SpaceX won’t launch Zuma into space tonight

SpaceX’s secretive Zuma payload will not be sent into space aboard a Falcon 9 rocket tonight, the company tweeted.

“Standing down on Zuma mission to take a closer look at data from recent fairing testing for another customer,” the company wrote around 1am SAST Friday.

Standing down on Zuma mission to take a closer look at data from recent fairing testing for another customer.

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 16, 2017

The payload, which isn’t a hat-tip to the president of South Africa, was commissioned by Northrop Grumman, a US defence technology company. What said payload actually includes remains a mystery.

Nevertheless, no new launch date has been scheduled, but once SpaceX gives the green light, Zuma will be sent into orbit around our planet.

“Though we’ve preserved the range opportunity for tomorrow, we’ll take the time needed to complete the data review and then confirm a new launch date,” Elon Musk’s company added in a subsequent tweet.

After the mission is complete, SpaceX will also attempt to land the Falcon 9’s first stage, which in the past has always made for interesting viewing.

Feature image: SpaceX