Launch scrubbed? Scrub vs hold vs abort explained
A hold pauses the countdown; the launch can still happen that day. A scrub calls off the day's attempt and a new date follows. An abort is a late stop, sometimes right after engine ignition, that usually ends the attempt.
Scrub, hold, abort, recycle: quick comparison
| Term | What it means | Launch today? |
|---|---|---|
| Hold | The countdown is paused, often at a planned point, to fix or check something. | Still possible if the hold ends inside the window. |
| Recycle | The countdown is reset to an earlier point and run again. | Still possible if time remains in the window. |
| Scrub | The attempt for that day is called off. | No. A new date or time follows. |
| Abort | An automatic or manual stop, usually in the last seconds of the count; on some rockets it can happen just after engine ignition, before liftoff. | Usually no; it normally ends that day's attempt. |
The most common reasons launches are scrubbed
- Weather: clouds and lightning near the pad, strong winds at ground level or high winds aloft. On the Florida coast, forecasts come from the US Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron.
- Technical: a sensor reading out of limits on the rocket, payload or ground equipment.
- Range: a boat or aircraft inside the hazard area, or a range system that is not ready.
- Recovery: bad weather or sea conditions where the booster is supposed to land.
Launch windows and why some are only a second long
A launch window is the period when the rocket can leave and still reach its target. Missions that must meet another spacecraft, such as flights to the International Space Station, often have an instantaneous window: any delay past that moment means a scrub for the day. Other missions have windows of minutes or hours, which leave room for holds and recycles.
What happens after a scrub
It depends on the cause and the rocket. After a weather or range scrub with no hardware problem, a Falcon 9 can often try again about a day later. Problems that need fuel to be drained, parts swapped or engines inspected can take days to weeks, and a new date also depends on range availability and the target orbit.
How to get the new launch time
T-ZERO updates from the launch feed after a scrub. Check rocket launches today, the launch's own page, or subscribe to the launch calendar so the new time shows up in your calendar app. Streams: watch a launch live. Regional lists: Florida · Starship.
FAQ
What does it mean when a launch is scrubbed?
The launch attempt for that day has been called off. The provider then announces a new date or time, which can be the next day or much later.
What is the difference between a hold, a scrub and an abort?
A hold pauses the countdown and can still end in a launch the same day. A scrub calls off the day's attempt. An abort is a stop very late in the count, sometimes just after engine ignition, and usually ends the attempt.
Why do rocket launches get scrubbed?
Mostly weather, technical problems with the rocket, payload or ground systems, range conflicts such as boats in the hazard area, or bad weather in the booster recovery area.
Why does an instantaneous window cause a scrub?
With an instantaneous window the rocket has to leave at one exact moment to reach its target, such as the space station. Any delay past that moment means the attempt cannot happen that day.
How soon can they try again after a scrub?
Often about a day later for a weather or range scrub, but days to weeks if hardware has to be fixed or inspected. It depends on the rocket and the cause.
What is a recycle?
Resetting the countdown to an earlier point and running it again, usually after a hold, while there is still time left in the launch window.
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