Thick clouds rolled over Kennedy Space Center on Thursday, prompting SpaceX to scrub its planned Crew-11 launch for NASA. With the countdown halted at T-minus one minute and seven seconds, the international mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will now target a Friday window – despite a less favorable weather forecast.
Breaking the Launchdown
What began as an ideal sunrise launch attempt quickly faced a meteorological twist. Wind gusts picked up and clouds thickened, pushing the team to call off liftoff just seconds before ignition. It's a reminder that even cutting-edge rockets and trained crews are at the mercy of Mother Nature.
International Crew, Critical Mission
- Four astronauts from the U.S., Japan and Russia
- At least six months aboard the ISS
- They'll replace crew members who launched in March to support NASA's temporarily grounded astronauts
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who is temporarily leading NASA, was on-site to witness the call. “Safety first,” he noted, underscoring the priority of weather constraints for crewed missions.
Eyes on Friday's Window
Friday's weather outlook shows more clouds and variable winds, but teams will monitor data around the clock. A successful Crew-11 liftoff is key to maintaining a continuous human presence on the ISS and advancing research in microgravity.
Stay tuned for live coverage of the next launch window and more insights from orbit.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
