SpaceX Launch of Improved Falcon 9 Rocket Postponed

Nov. 25, 2013— -- The scheduled launch today of a SpaceX rocket was postponed just 4 minutes before liftoff after several delays caused it to miss its launch window.

Elon Musk's space transportation company's latest version of the Falcon 9 rocket had been scheduled to blast off at 5:37 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral, Fla.

"We observed unexpected readings with the first stage liquid oxygen system so we decided to investigate," SpaceX officials said in a statement. "The launch vehicle and satellite are in great shape and we are looking forward to the next launch opportunity on Thursday at 5:38 p.m. Eastern time."

The Falcon 9 rocket has been steadily going higher and higher. While most of the previous launches have focused on low-Earth orbits (less than 2,000 kilometers above the surface of the Earth), today's launch is aiming to go well beyond that, nearly 20 times farther.