SpaceX delays space station delivery due to high wind

SpaceX delays space station delivery due to high wind
A Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket on a resupply mission to the International Space Station stands ready for launch at Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

SpaceX has delayed its delivery to the International Space Station because of dangerous wind gusts.

The Falcon 9 rocket came less than an hour from launching Wednesday. But the company halted the countdown because of excessive upper-level wind at Cape Canaveral and also out in the Atlantic. SpaceX wants to land the brand new booster on an offshore barge following liftoff so it can be reused.

SpaceX said it would try again early Thursday afternoon. While the wind should be calmer, it may be cloudier.

The Dragon capsule contains 3 tons of supplies for NASA, including 'mighty mice' for a muscle and bone study and barley for a beer-malting experiment. This will be the third trip to the for this recycled Dragon.

SpaceX has been restocking the orbiting lab since 2012. Northrop Grumman is NASA's other private shipper.

  • SpaceX delays space station delivery due to high wind
    A Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket on a resupply mission to the International Space Station stands ready for launch at Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Staton in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
  • SpaceX delays space station delivery due to high wind
    A Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket on a resupply mission to the International Space Station stands ready for launch at Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

© 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Citation: SpaceX delays space station delivery due to high wind (2019, December 4) retrieved 24 April 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2019-12-spacex-space-station-delivery-due.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

SpaceX delivery delayed few days; First reused rocket for NASA

13 shares

Feedback to editors