SpaceX has pushed back its planned launch of the 34th Commercial Resupply Services mission to the International Space Station from Wednesday to Friday, May 15, because of unfavorable weather conditions at Cape Canaveral. The new target launch time is 6:05 p.m. ET from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission was initially set for May 13 but was called off earlier in the week due to high winds and thunderstorm activity in the area.
The CRS-34 mission will use a Dragon spacecraft that has already flown five previous missions, including CRS-22, CRS-24, CRS-27, CRS-30, and CRS-32. This will be the sixth flight for the spacecraft, which is expected to deliver scientific experiments, crew supplies, and other cargo to the ISS. The Falcon 9 rocket that will carry the Dragon will also be making its sixth flight, having previously launched satellites for NASA, the European Space Agency, and private companies.
SpaceX officials did not specify the exact weather conditions that led to the delay but said teams are monitoring forecasts closely. The launch window on Friday includes a two-hour period starting at 6:05 p.m. ET, with a backup opportunity on Saturday if needed. The mission is part of NASA’s ongoing partnership with SpaceX to support research and operations on the ISS, which has been a key focus for the agency since 2020.
The rescheduled launch will be broadcast live on Space Coast Daily TV, with updates available through the station’s website and social media. This is the second time this year that the CRS mission has been delayed due to weather, following a similar scrub in February. SpaceX has not yet announced a new target date if the launch is further postponed.