Storms threaten delay for space launch
NASA and SpaceX were last night due to try again to make history as they sought to launch astronauts into space from the US for the first time in nine years, just days after their first attempt was cancelled.
Preparations were under way for Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) on a rocket and capsule system built by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s firm.
The duo were due to lift off on Wednesday, but the mission was aborted less than 17 minutes before launch time over concerns that the event could trigger lightning.
Nasa administrator Jim Bridenstine tweeted to say yesterday’s launch activities were moving forward, but added: “Weather challenges remain with a 50% chance of cancellation.”
Elon Musk, who is the chief executive of SpaceX, said the teams were proceeding with countdown, despite the weather risk.
If all went as planned, the mission, named Demo-2, would see SpaceX become the first private company to send astronauts into space.
But if the launch was again delayed, the next available window will be tonight at 8pm GMT.
Since ending its Space Shuttle programme in 2011, Nasa has depended on Russia’s space agency Roscosmos to transport its astronauts to the space station.
In 2014, Nasa awarded SpaceX and Boeing contracts to provide crewed launch services to the space station as part of its Commercial Crew Programme.
According to Nasa, the aim of the Demo-2 mission is to show SpaceX’s ability to ferry astronauts to the space station and back safely.
It is the final major step required by SpaceX’s astronaut carrier, the Crew Dragon, to get certified by Nasa’s Commercial Crew Programme for more longterm manned missions to space.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will take off from the Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft where Mr Behnken, 49, and Mr Hurley, 53, will be strapped in.
Mr Behnken will serve as the mission’s joint operations commander and take responsibility for the rendezvous, docking and undocking of the Dragon capsule, while Mr Hurley will be in charge of the launch, landing and recovery of the vehicle.