Astronaut mission launch by SpaceX and NASA postponed due to adverse weather conditions (video)
The launch of the Crew-11 mission for NASA, scheduled for July 31, 2022, was postponed due to unfavourable weather conditions at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. The hold was called at T-01:09 minutes, just before liftoff, leading to the launch being rescheduled.
The SpaceX Crew-11 mission is the eleventh operational astronaut mission SpaceX has flown for NASA through the Commercial Crew Program. The mission will launch from Launch Complex 39A at KSC, with the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket serving as the vehicle. The destination of the mission is the International Space Station (ISS), located approximately 248 miles (400 kilometers) above the surface of Earth and orbiting at a speed of about 17,500 mph (28,000 kph).
The Crew-11 mission involves four crewmembers: Zena Cardman (NASA), Mike Fincke (NASA), Kimiya Yui (JAXA), and Oleg Platonov (Roscosmos). The mission aims to send astronauts to and from the ISS on private SpaceX craft. The Crew Dragon Endeavour, atop the rocket, is making its sixth flight.
The weather at KSC was not cooperating, as reported by NASA commentator Derrol Nail during the launch coverage. The scrub occurred due to a bank of cumulus clouds over the space center, with the clouds being so close to the launch pad that the standoff area, a 10-mile radius around the pad, was activated.
SpaceX will try to launch the Crew-11 mission again on Friday, August 1, at 11:43 a.m. EDT (1543 GMT). In case of another delay, a backup launch attempt is scheduled for Saturday, August 2, at 11:21 a.m. EDT (1521 GMT). The mission is scheduled for a roughly 40-hour flight.
Stay tuned for updates on the Crew-11 mission launch attempts.
- Despite the postponement of the Crew-11 mission due to weather issues, SpaceX is planning to launch the mission again on August 1, 2022.
- The weather at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has been a critical factor, causing a scrub during the initial launch attempt due to cumulus clouds close to the launch pad.
- While the weather uncertainties have disrupted the schedule of the Crew-11 mission, the astronauts expected to embark on the mission include Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, Kimiya Yui, and Oleg Platonov.
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