Liftoff postponed for space mission of ISS crew that will replace UAE astronaut’s team

Liftoff postponed for space mission of ISS crew that will replace UAE astronaut’s team

Nasa said the mission was "standing down" from a scheduled Friday launch time, but did not provide a reason for the move

By AFP Published: Fri 25 Aug 2023, 10:45 AM Last updated: Fri 25 Aug 2023, 10:46 AM

Nasa and SpaceX said on Thursday they have postponed the launch of a crew of four to the International Space Station.

Nasa said the mission was "standing down" from a scheduled Friday launch time, but did not provide a reason for the move.

"Launch now is targeted at 3:27 am (11.27am UAE time) Saturday, Aug. 26, for SpaceX's seventh crew rotation mission to the microgravity laboratory for NASA," the US space agency said in a statement.

Dubbed Crew-7, the mission will be commanded by American Jasmin Moghbeli and includes Andreas Mogensen of Denmark, Satoshi Furukawa of Japan and Konstantin Borisov of Russia.

Lift-off is planned from Launch Complex 39A at Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, with a backup opportunity at 3:04 am (11.04 am) on Sunday.

SpaceX said the new launch date provided "teams additional time to complete and discuss analysis."

"The vehicles remain healthy and crew is ready to fly."

It will be the first space mission for both Moghbeli and Borisov.

"This is something I've wanted to do