Secretive SpaceX Zuma launch on hold as teams investigate technical issue

Update: The SpaceX launch has been delayed. Read more here.

SpaceX continues to investigate a possible hardware issue ahead of a secretive Falcon 9 launch from Kennedy Space Center as launch teams target no earlier than tonight for the mission.

“We have decided to stand down and take a closer look at data from recent fairing testing for another customer," SpaceX told FLORIDA TODAY on Thursday. "Though we have preserved the range opportunity for tomorrow, we will take the time we need to complete the data review and will then confirm a new launch date.”

Though SpaceX was initially expected to target 8 p.m. tonight for a two-hour Falcon 9 launch window at pad 39A, the Air Force's 45th Space Wing Thursday night said the mission labeled "Zuma" was removed from the schedule entirely. SpaceX indicated that while Friday is still possible, the investigation into the fairing issue could take longer than expected.

Fairings, which sit at the top of rockets, encapsulate payloads and are designed to protect spacecraft during and after launch.

[SpaceX ready for mystery 'Zuma' launch from KSC and landing at Cape Canaveral]

[SpaceX suffers Merlin rocket engine failure in Texas; no impact to launches]

The mission – a secretive government payload identified only as "Zuma" for defense giant Northrop Grumman – will include a first stage landing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Landing Zone 1. Residents of or visitors to the eastern portions of Central Florida can expect to hear and feel a powerful sonic boom as the booster descends toward the Cape about 8 minutes after liftoff.

While details related to the payload and reasons for delays remain scarce, updates on expected weather conditions look good: The forecast will be greater than 90 percent "go" for a Friday attempt, according to the Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron. A delay to Saturday would yield similar results.

"Friday will bring mostly sunny skies and much lighter northeasterly winds than the previous few days," forecasters said Thursday afternoon. "This will also mean much less cloud coverage and only a very slight risk of a cumulus cloud rule violation."

The West Coast, meanwhile, is expected to host the launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket with NASA's Joint Polar Satellite System, or JPSS-1. The Saturday mission, which marks its third launch attempt and is one of the last Delta II rockets, is scheduled to take flight from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 4:47 a.m. Eastern time.

The satellite will contribute to improved weather forecasting, environmental monitoring and severe weather prediction.

Contact Emre Kelly at aekelly@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3715. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook at @EmreKelly.

Launch Friday

Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9

Mission: Zuma for Northrop Grumman / U.S. government

Launch Time: 8 p.m.

Launch Window: 10 p.m.

Launch Pad: 39A at Kennedy Space Center

Weather: 90 percent “go”

Join FloridaToday.com/Space at 6:30 p.m. Thursday for countdown chat and updates, including streaming of SpaceX's launch webcast.