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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
By Marcia Dunn

Clouds force last-minute delay for astronaut launch to the International Space Station

SpaceX Crew Launch - (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Thick clouds prompted SpaceX to call off Thursday’s planned launch of four astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA.

The countdown was halted at the one-minute, 7-second mark.

SpaceX's next launch attempt from Kennedy Space Center is Friday, although the weather forecast is less favorable.

The U.S., Japanese and Russian crew will spend at least six months at the space station, replacing colleagues launched in March as the fill-ins for NASA’s two stuck astronauts.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who’s temporarily leading NASA, was at Kennedy Space Center for the launch attempt. The morning started out with ideal weather, but the wind picked up and the clouds rolled in.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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