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SpaceX's last Florida rocket launch of the year rescheduled

The GPS III satellite was set to launch from a 230-foot-tall Falcon 9 rocket at 9:07 a.m. on Wednesday, but the company announced it's 'standing down.'

UPDATE: SpaceX is 'standing down' from the rescheduled launch on Wednesday to further evaluate the first stage sensors. No new launch date announced.

Original story:

Viewers can enjoy one more rocket launch from the Space Coast before 2018 draws to a close.

SpaceX will launch its first national security mission Tuesday, the first in a line of new-generation satellites designed to improve the Air Force's Global Positioning System.

The GPS III satellite will launch from a 230-foot-tall Falcon 9 rocket at 9:11 a.m. from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 40. 

How to enjoy the last launch:

With a window of 26 minutes, spectators should expect an early morning if they want to catch the last Florida launch of the year. Several places will be ioeb as early as 7 a.m. for those who want to settle in and find a good spot before liftoff. 

Some locations to view the launch include:

More: 10 great places to watch a SpaceX launch

As an added incentive, Vice President Mike Pence is coming down to the Space Coast to witness the historic launch. Though the chances of seeing the vice president may be slim, it doesn't dispute the fact that this launch is a must-see.

More: Mike Pence headed to Cape Canaveral to watch first SpaceX GPS III launch

Last one of the year!

Another record year for SpaceX, this will be its 21st launch this year alone, the most it has ever had. Next year, the company is hoping to launch uncrewed and crewed missions to the International Space Station, marking the first crewed flights to the outpost since Space Shuttle Atlantis launched from KSC in 2011.

Significance of launch: 

 

Not only will this be the first national security launch for SpaceX, it will be the first GPS III satellite launched as well.

The new satellite will have:

  • Three times better accuracy
  • Up to eight times improved anti-jamming capabilities
  • Spacecraft life up to 15 years
  • First GPS satellite to broadcast signal compatible with other international global navigation satellite systems.

More: SpaceX to launch GPS satellite from Cape Canaveral in first national security mission

What to expect:

Blasting off from Launch Complex 40, viewers can witness as the rocket flies off into space. Unlike the Dec. 5 launch to the International Space Station, however, this will be an expendable mission so there will not be a landing attempt.

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