A thick layer of clouds over Kennedy Space Center forced mission controllers to cancel the planned launch of a NASA-SpaceX rocket Monday, shifting the target to Friday evening. The scrubbed attempt was the second delay for the mission, which aims to deliver supplies and experiments to the International Space Station. The rescheduled window is expected to open around 6:30 p.m. Friday, pending further weather evaluations.
The original launch attempt was called off just minutes before liftoff when meteorologists detected a 10% chance of cloud cover in the critical 10-mile radius around the launchpad. Range safety officers cited the risk of lightning and thunderstorms as the primary concerns. This marks the second time this month that weather has disrupted the mission, which had previously been delayed on March 22 due to high winds.
NASA officials said the crew aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft remains in quarantine at the Kennedy Space Center Hotel, awaiting the new launch date. The mission, which will carry four astronauts including veteran NASA astronaut Christina Koch, has faced multiple hurdles since its initial rollout in December. Koch, who has previously spent 328 days aboard the ISS, is set to return to Earth in May as part of the same flight.
SpaceX and NASA teams are conducting final checks on the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule, with engineers focusing on propulsion systems and parachute deployment mechanisms. The launch window for Friday includes a 90-minute period during which the rocket can lift off, depending on orbital alignment. If weather conditions remain unfavorable, mission managers have contingency plans to extend the delay into the following week.
Local residents near the spaceport have expressed mixed reactions to the delays. Some are disappointed by the repeated postponements, while others appreciate the caution taken by mission teams. 'It's frustrating to wait, but I trust the experts are doing what's necessary,' said Brevard County resident Mark Thompson, who lives 12 miles from the launch site. 'Safety always comes first.'