SpaceX and NASA’s historic launch was scrubbed Wednesday as a result of weather conditions.
Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken were scheduled to launch at 4:33 p.m. EDT on May 27 from Kennedy Space Center’s launch pad 39A, which was also used for the Apollo and space shuttle programs. The launch was called off at just 16 minutes and 54 seconds before the launch time.
The mission had an instantaneous launch window, which meant that the flight was scheduled to launch exactly at 4:33 p.m. with no potential to extend the window.
SPACEX, NASA, ASTRONAUTS MAKING FINAL PREPARATIONS: ‘WE’RE GO FOR LAUNCH’
The weather violations included natural lightning and the strength of the electric field in the atmosphere.
“Standing down from launch today due to unfavorable weather in the flight path,” tweeted SpaceX.
“No launch for today – safety for our crew members @Astro_Doug and @AstroBehnken is our top priority,” tweeted NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine.
The launch would have been the first time a private company, rather than a national government, sent astronauts into orbit. It would also have been the first time that astronauts have launched since U.S. soil since the final Space Shuttle mission in 2011.
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The next launch attempt will be on Saturday at 3:22 p.m. EDT.
Fox News’ John Roberts and The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
