Low Clouds, Rain Force NASA, SpaceX to Scrub Saturday Launch Attempt

SpaceX looked to early Sunday for a second attempt to launch its Falcon 9/Dragon rocket and cargo capsule combination from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., on a commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station, after low clouds and rain forced a scrub of efforts to begin the two day journey early Saturday.

Sunday's lift off attempt was scheduled for 1:52 a.m., EDT. Poor weather remains a threat, with U. S. Air Force forecasters predicting a 60 percent chance of similar conditions associated with an upper level trough.

SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon resupply capsule grounded by low clouds, rain.  NASA TV.

Saturday's attempt to lift off was cancelled 30 minutes before the scheduled  2:14 a.m., EDT, departure.  The weather outlook had deteriorated from a 50 percent chance of favorable conditions on Friday to just 10 percent for the instantaneous launch window.

The Dragon freighter was loaded with more than 5,000 pounds of crew supplies, science experiments and technology demonstrations for delivery to the station.

As the decision to terminate the first launch attempt approached, NASA and SpaceX were discussing the possibility of a third launch attempt early Tuesday, if needed.