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May 1 (UPI) -- SpaceX successfully launched a spy satellite Monday morning aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, the second shot at the launch after cancelling Sunday's original launch. The rocket lifted off at 7:15 a.m. Monday morning from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
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The rocket was originally scheduled to liftoff Sunday, but it was delayed by one day after SpaceX detected an issue with a sensor on the rocket's first stage.
With 52 seconds remaining before liftoff at 7:15 a.m. Sunday, SpaceX called a 24-hour hold to check out the sensor
"Standing down today due to a sensor issue; backup launch opportunity tomorrow morning," SpaceX posted to Twitter.
After the launch, SpaceX landed the first stage booster at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
On March 30, SpaceX last successfully launched and recovered a Falcon 9 for commercial satellite operator SES.
The latest launch, designated as NROL-76, is the first SpaceX has done for the spy agency National Reconnaissance Office and the U.S. Department of Defense
This can lead to bidding on national security contracts with United Launch Alliance the only contractor for the Department of Defense.
Allen Cone contributed to this report.
