Enlarge / SpaceX cut its webcast from space at T+ 9:00 on Friday, and went back to Michael Hammersley in Hawthorne, due to “NOAA restrictions.” (credit: SpaceX)

On Friday morning, SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket into space and later deployed 10 Iridium communications satellites into low-Earth orbit as planned. But, unexpectedly for most watching, the company’s webcast was precluded from showing the mission in its entirety.

At T+ 9:00 minutes, just two seconds before the rocket’s second-stage engine cut off from firing, the video from space ended. The launch commentator, SpaceX engineer Michael Hammersley, explained earlier in the broadcast that, “Due to some restrictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, SpaceX will be intentionally ending live video coverage of the 2nd stage just prior to engine shutdown.”

Asked about this on Friday morning, a NOAA spokesman was not aware of the situation. “I can only think it’s an error,” Chris Vaccaro told Ars. “I would double check with them (SpaceX).” NOAA has promised more information will be forthcoming.