Today's NASA & SpaceX launch attempt to the ISS was cancelled
-00:16: 36 before launch as weather conditions were deemed 'unfavourable' at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
This would have marked a historic first launch of astronauts for SpaceX, also ending a near 10-year dry spell for independent American based passenger launches.
A report, likely from Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron, announced the light rain and unpredictable atmospheric conditions would not clear in time for launch.
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine stated there was 'too much electricity in the atmosphere', possibly generated from the excitement of self-isolated watchers from around the globe (not really).
The real danger is not lightning itself, but that the launch can trigger lightning. Therefore best practice dictates aborting the launch as lightning is a high predictor of catastrophic failure to crew and cargo.
SpaceX has begun removing propellant from the Falcon 9 rocket and crew members have disembarked the Crew Dragon spacecraft in the hopes Saturday will provide a better opportunity for launch.
NASA has advised the next launch attempt will be at 5:22 am Sunday the 31st of May, AEST.
Bridenstine also remarked that the SpaceX and NASA teams "worked together in a really impressive way" and resolved that one way or another the U.S. is very close to launching Americans from American soil once again. He added that within their resolute mission "under no circumstances should anybody feel any pressure. If we are not ready to go, we simply do not go."
Upon a successful relaunch attempt, the SpaceX Demo 2-launch will send NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to the ISS. Both astronauts are former military pilots and colleagues since NASA selection in 2000.
Astronauts Robert Behnken and Doug Hurley posing before the cancelled launch with Elon Musk and Jim Bridenstine
We will keep you updated as more information dictates.
See you guys early on Sunday!
#Space_Aus
