Paul Marks, senior technology correspondent
(Image: SpaceX)
A brave new chapter in commercial spaceflight failed to open before dawn broke in Florida this morning when the launch of the first private-sector-built cargo spacecraft was scrubbed at the last second.
A launch abort during the ignition sequence was ordered by a flight computer which detected a systems anomaly in one of the nine first-stage engines - just moments before lift off. It was something of a letdown for space fans and rocketeers alike - who have been on tenterhooks over the mission.
The Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon cargo capsule, built for NASA by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, California, was to have launched at 4.55am EST (9.55 BST) - taking the hopes of the emerging commercial spaceflight sector with it. It's aim: to rendezvous and safely dock with the International Space Station.
But that will have to wait. Because the launch window to rendezvous with the ISS was only one second long today, there is no chance that another launch attempt can be made later today. A fresh launch attempt will now be made on 22 May assuming the engine anomaly has been fixed by then.
"We'll take time to investigate this anomaly," said a SpaceX spokesperson on its webcast. "But it looks like we still have a good spacecraft with which to try again early on Tuesday morning."
Launch success today was far from assured as this was only Falcon 9's third flight. Although the previous two flights were successful, each had suffered minor rolling motion and premature engine shutdown anomalies respectively on their way to orbit.
And each of those launches had experienced prelaunch scrubs to cope with anomalies: "We've certainly been here before," says SpaceX.
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