SpaceX calls off launch because of high winds
SpaceX postponed an attempt Tuesday at launching an observatory into deep space and landing the booster that carries it up.
Company must launch observatory by Wednesday or face delay until Feb. 20
Dangerously high wind is keeping a deep-space observatory grounded for yet another day.
SpaceX called off Tuesday evening's planned launch of the Deep Space Climate Observatory, with just 12 minutes remaining in the countdown. Wind gusts reached 185 km/h several kilometres up, a safety concern.
It was the company's second attempt in three days to launch the spacecraft first envisioned by former U.S. vice-president Al Gore.
SpaceX must launch the observatory by Wednesday or face a delay until Feb. 20.
The company will also attempt to land the leftover first-stage booster on an ocean platform.
SpaceX's billionaire founder Elon Musk wants to eventually reuse his rockets, and that means getting them back intact.