SpaceX Delays Crew-8 Launch Due to High Winds, Next Try on March 3

Space News ,World :-  SpaceX had planned to launch NASA's Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday, but the liftoff got delayed for 24 hours due to elevated winds during ascent. The new scheduled launch time is on Sunday at 10:53 p.m. EST from Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. You can catch the live broadcast of the launch on NASA TV starting at 6:45 p.m. EST.

The Crew-8 mission is part of SpaceX's contract with NASA to transport astronauts to and from the ISS. This mission will carry NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, on a six-month journey to the ISS.

Despite the delay, the astronauts, dressed in their white SpaceX spacesuits, are ready for the mission. The launch delay means they have to go through the preparations again, but it also provides them with more rest. As NASA astronaut Raja Chari mentioned during a commentary on NASA TV, it's like a "Groundhog Day" scenario, but with the advantage of added rest for the crew.

This delay is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Crew-8 mission. Initially set for a March 1 launch, it was pushed back due to weather concerns. Previous delays occurred on Feb. 22 and Feb. 28, allowing additional preparation time after a private moon lander launch on Feb. 18 from the same launch pad.

Saturday's weather forecast was already uncertain, with a 40% chance of favorable conditions, according to the U.S. Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron. However, Sunday's forecast is more promising, with a 75% chance of good conditions for the launch.

For the Crew-8 mission, SpaceX will use a new Falcon 9 rocket, while the Dragon capsule, named Crew Dragon Endeavour, is a spaceflight veteran. Endeavour was the first SpaceX capsule to carry NASA astronauts and is now embarking on its fifth spaceflight.

Had the launch taken place on Saturday, it would have coincided with a significant anniversary for SpaceX. Five years ago, on March 2, 2019, SpaceX launched its first Crew Dragon mission, the uncrewed Demo-1 test flight, marking a pivotal moment for the company's human spaceflight capabilities.

"With Crew-8, we'll go from Zero-G to 50, as Falcon 9 is targeted to launch Dragon Endeavour for the fifth time with our 50th crew member on board," SpaceX shared in a statement on social media.