Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 17-11-2017

SpaceX has postponed the launch of a secretive US government payload known as Zuma, a mission whose nature – and the agency behind it – is a mystery.

The aerospace manufacturer says they decided to postpone the launch on Thursday and take a closer look at data from recent fairing testing for another customer about two hours before the planned launch window was to open.

“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.”

SpaceX and the Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment about the nature of the mission.

Northrup Grumman, the maker of the payload, says it was for the US government and would be delivered to low-Earth orbit, but offered no other details.

SpaceX is no stranger to national security launches.

Earlier this year the California-based company headed by South African-born billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk launched a spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office, and an X-37B space plane for the US Air Force.

Twitter: @FaizelPatel143