Clouds, wind halt countdown for test flight of NASA’s new rocket for moon program

NASA new rocket test flight delayed by bad weather

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA’s newest rocket is stuck on the launch pad because of clouds and high wind.

Launch controllers tried repeatedly Tuesday to get the Ares I-X rocket flying. They got to within two-and-a-half minutes of launching the rocket, but the weather interfered. Minor problems stalled the countdown earlier in the morning.

Officials are deciding whether to try again Wednesday morning.

This is the first step in NASA’s effort to return astronauts to the moon.

The experimental flight will last just two minutes. Parachutes will drop the first-stage booster into the Atlantic for recovery.

NASA expects to learn a lot, even if it’s for another type of rocket. The White House is re-evaluating the human spaceflight program.