NASA, SpaceX delay launch of Crew-6 mission after technical issue, next attempt Thursday

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — SpaceX and NASA had to stand down on Monday morning’s launch attempt for the Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station.

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4:05 a.m. update:

SpaceX confirmed that its next launch attempt for Crew-6 will be Thursday.

Crews are now targeting 12:34 a.m. on March 2.

“I’m proud of the NASA and SpaceX teams’ focus and dedication to keeping Crew-6 safe,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Human spaceflight is an inherently risky endeavor and, as always, we will fly when we are ready.”

1:50 a.m. update:

SpaceX announced a few minutes before its planned launch that it is standing down from Monday’s launch attempt.

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A technical issue forced teams to halt the countdown clock and scrub the launch.

Crews are looking over the issues that prevented Monday’s launch attempt.

Original report:

NASA and SpaceX are scheduled to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station aboard a Falcon 9 rocket early Monday as part of their Crew-6 mission.

The rocket is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A at 1:45 a.m. Monday.

This is the Dragon spacecraft’s sixth operational human spaceflight mission to the ISS.

If the launch gets scrubbed, the next launch opportunity will be at 1:22 a.m. Tuesday. But certified meteorologist George Waldenberger said that weather conditions are favorable for the planned launch time.

Read: NASA, SpaceX complete rehearsals for Crew-6 launch to International Space Station

The Dragon spacecraft supporting Monday’s mission previously flew Demo-2, Crew-2 and Axiom Space’s Ax-1 to and from the ISS.

After stage separation, the rocket’s first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

During their time on the ISS, the crew will conduct more than 200 science experiments and technological demonstrations.

Read: SpaceX plans for Falcon 9 rocket launch from Florida’s Space Coast this weekend

The experiments and demonstrations are related to life, physical sciences, advanced materials, technology development, in-space production applications and student-led research.

The webcast for the Crew-6 mission will begin at 12:45 a.m., one hour before liftoff. Click here to watch the launch live when it happens.

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Video: NASA, SpaceX complete rehearsals for Crew-6 launch to International Space Station NASA and SpaceX are one step closer to the launch of Crew-6. (James Tutten, WFTV.com/WFTV)

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Photos: SpaceX returns 4 astronauts to Earth after 6-month mission In this image made from video supplied by NASA, European Space Agency's Matthias Maurer exits the SpaceX Dragon space capsule after splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico off Tampa, Florida, early Friday, May 6, 2022. (NASA via AP)

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