The launch of the world’s largest rocket was canceled at the last minute. With 40 seconds to go, SpaceX halted the countdown due to a technical malfunction and rescheduled the attempt for 22 May at 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT).
What happened at the site?
Even before the final countdown, engineers delayed the launch due to strong upper-level winds and moved the launch window from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. When the countdown finally resumed, the launch pad’s water diverter system detected an anomaly 40 seconds before the scheduled launch and automatically aborted it.
According to Spaceflight Now, the ultimate cause of the launch scrub was a hydraulic lock on the launch tower boom that failed to retract in time before liftoff. SpaceX announced the cancellation of the mission for that day.
“New rocket, new pad, we’re learning a lot about these new systems as we execute them for the first time,” SpaceX representative Dan Huot commented during the live broadcast. According to him, the team plans to make another attempt in 24 hours.
When is the next attempt?
The next launch window opens at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on May 22. The window will last 90 minutes. This is already the fourth launch date for Flight 12 this week. SpaceX has repeatedly postponed the launch.
According to space.com
