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The launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station, scheduled for Monday, Feb. 27, was scrubbed due to a ground systems issue. The mission teams decided to stand down and investigate the issue that prevented data from confirming a full load of the ignition source for the Falcon 9 first-stage Merlin engines.
The ground systems issue is related to the triethylaluminum triethylboron (or TEA-TEB) propellant. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson commended the NASA and SpaceX teams for their focus and dedication to ensuring the safety of the Crew-6 mission.
As human spaceflight is an inherently risky endeavor, the NASA and SpaceX teams prioritized safety and rescheduled the launch. The Falcon 9 rocket has been safely emptied of propellant and the astronauts have exited the Dragon spacecraft and returned to astronaut crew quarters.
NASA and SpaceX have postponed the launch opportunity for Tuesday, Feb. 28, due to unfavorable weather forecast conditions. The next available launch attempt will take place at 12:34 a.m. EST on Thursday, March 2, pending the resolution of the technical issue that caused the Monday scrub.
NASA and SpaceX will provide more details about the issue and the mission during a media teleconference prior to the next launch attempt. The organizations will keep the public informed about the launch activities and provide updates about the Crew-6 mission as they become available.
The NASA and SpaceX teams’ commitment to safety and diligence in investigating the technical issue demonstrates the importance of responsible space exploration. As we wait for the next launch attempt, we can appreciate the dedication and hard work that goes into every space mission, ensuring that every detail is taken care of before launch.
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