PACE postponed: NASA, SpaceX stand down launch attempt because of high booster-landing winds
Update 10:14 p.m. Tuesday: SpaceX announced crews will now target 1:33 a.m. EST Wednesday for launch of NASA's PACE spacecraft, citing expected high winds at the first-stage booster landing zone.
Original story: NASA’s first Earth-science launch of 2024 is scheduled to launch overnight — but poor weather may very well postpone the mission, the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron warns.
SpaceX and NASA are targeting 1:33 a.m. EST Tuesday to launch the PACE spacecraft aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
If the Falcon 9 lifts off, SpaceX reported the first-stage booster will target landing 7 minutes, 32 seconds later back at the Space Force base — triggering late-night sonic booms across the vicinity.
However, an early 45th Weather Squadron forecast only projected 40% odds of "go for launch" conditions at the Cape, citing cumulous clouds, liftoff winds and thick cloud layers.
Check back for live FLORIDA TODAY Space Team launch coverage updates on this page, starting about 90 minutes before liftoff.
Look for NASA TV live launch coverage at the top of this page starting at 12:45 a.m. Tuesday.
Climate change: Take a peek at NASA's PACE spacecraft, which will study climate change and ocean health
For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.
Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: PACE postponed: NASA, SpaceX stand down launch attempt because of high booster-landing winds
