CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Boeing called off its test flight of its Starliner spacecraft moments before it was supposed to launch Saturday.
The countdown for the launch stopped at three minutes and 50 seconds, according to The Associated Press. Both astronauts were strapped in waiting for takeoff when an issue arose, causing the launch to be called off for the day.
Update 7:43 p.m. EDT: NASA said that the launch will be delayed until Wednesday at the earliest, and could lift off as late as Thursday, WFTV reported.
-- Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Original report: The countdown clock was stopped by an automatic hold, which was triggered by the ground launch sequencer. According to CNN, that is also known as the computer that launches the rocket. The cause of its hold is unclear.
NASA’s broadcast said, according to CNN, that the teams are expecting a 24-hour turnaround time so in this instance, it could be the earliest for another launch could be on Sunday.
The Starliner was supposed to take off at 12:25 p.m. EDT Saturday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The launch was delayed before due to leak checks and repairs to the rocket, the AP reported.