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

New space station crew to mark a historic milestone: 25 years of continuous human presence on ISS

ByMARCIA DUNN AP logo
Thursday, July 31, 2025
SpaceX launch scrubbed due to weather

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.

The launch will take place later this afternoon.

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.

AP Photo/John Raoux

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