SpaceX and NASA called off Monday’s attempted launch of the SpaceX Crew-6 mission carrying four astronauts to the International Space Station just minutes before takeoff due to a ground system issue.
The launch was scrubbed with about two minutes left on the countdown clock for takeoff from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 1.45am Eastern Time.
In a blog post, NASA said mission teams decided to stand down to investigate an issue preventing data from confirming a full load of the ignition source for the Falcon 9 first-stage Merlin engines, triethylaluminum triethylboron (or TEA-TEB).
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SpaceX removed propellant from the Falcon 9 rocket and the astronauts have exited the Dragon spacecraft for astronaut crew quarters, NASA said.
Both the Falcon 9 and Dragon are in a safe configuration, the space agency noted.
“I’m proud of the NASA and SpaceX teams’ focus and dedication to keeping Crew-6 safe,” commented NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
“Human spaceflight is an inherently risky endeavor and, as always, we will fly when we are ready.”
The next available launch attempt is at 12.34am Eastern Time on Thursday, March 2, pending the resolution of the technical issue preventing Monday’s launch, NASA said.
SpaceX and NASA are foregoing a launch opportunity on Tuesday, February 28, due to unfavorable weather forecast conditions.
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