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SpaceX delays space station delivery due to high wind

A Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket on a resupply mission to the International Space Station stands at Space Launch Complex 40 minutes after the launch attempt was scrubbed because of dangerous wind gusts at Cape Canaveral Air Force Staton in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. Another attempt is planned on Thursday. (John Raoux / Associated Press)
Associated Press

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – SpaceX has delayed its delivery to the International Space Station because of dangerous wind gusts.

The Falcon 9 rocket came less than an hour from launching Wednesday. But the company halted the countdown because of excessive upper-level wind at Cape Canaveral and also out in the Atlantic. SpaceX wants to land the new booster on an offshore barge following liftoff so it can be reused.

SpaceX said it would try again early Thursday afternoon. While the wind should be calmer, it may be cloudier.

The Dragon capsule contains 3 tons of supplies for NASA, including “mighty mice” for a muscle and bone study and barley for a beer-malting experiment. This will be the third trip to the space station for this recycled Dragon.

SpaceX has been restocking the orbiting lab since 2012. Northrop Grumman is NASA’s other private shipper.