NASA was forced to scrub the highly anticipated first test flight of its crewed, Mars-bound Orion spacecraft Thursday after a series of weather delays and technical issues pushed the launch time to the end of its acceptable window.
Originally scheduled for liftoff at just after 7 a.m. EST Thursday, a boat entering the quarantined launch area and strong, continually gusting winds outside of acceptable speeds forced an abort of the countdown clock multiple times throughout the morning. (RELATED: Watch NASA Launch The First Test Flight Of Its Crewed, Mars-Bound Orion Spacecraft LIVE)
After waiting out the weather issues, another series of launch attempts were aborted when mission controllers reported fill and drain liquid oxygen fuel valves on the Orion’s Delta IV Heavy rocket launch vehicle’s 3 core boosters failed to close properly.
Mission controllers attempted several cyclings of the valves toward the end of the launch window until personnel from United Launch Alliance — which manufacturers the Delta IV Heavy lift vehicle for NASA — recommended calling off the launch over concerns of diminished battery power in the video cameras attached to the vehicle.
NASA will hold a press conference on NASA TV shortly to discuss plans for the next launch window, which could come as early as 7 a.m. Friday.
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