CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., April 14 (UPI) -- SpaceX’s third resupply mission to the International Space Station was canceled today after a helium leak was discovered during the initial launch phase.
NASA confirmed the cancellation on their blog late this afternoon. The next launch opportunity is Friday, April 18. But it isn't yet clear whether engineers will be able to resolve the issue in time.
SpaceX, the private space exploration company founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, was set to launch its Falcon 9 rocket on Monday at 4:58 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
As part of the latest resupply mission, SpaceX was aiming to recover and refurbish parts of the rocket which would be discarded mid-flight. Those plans will have to wait. As too will NASA's Robonaut. SpaceX is tasked with delivering 500 pounds of supplies to the ISS aboard its Dragon Capsule. One of the items is a pair of legs for R2, the robotic astronaut with only a torso, arms and a head.
[NASA]
