Cloudy weather halts countdown for test flight of NASA’s new rocket for moon program

NASA test flight delayed by cloudy weather

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Cloudy weather is holding up a test launch of NASA’s newest rocket.

The Ares I-X rocket came within two-and-a-half minutes of launching Tuesday morning. But the countdown was halted when a cloud moved over the pad. Minor problems stalled things earlier.

NASA has until noon to launch.

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

The experimental flight will last two minutes. Parachutes will drop the first-stage booster into the Atlantic for recovery. The upper portion of the rocket — all fake parts — will fall uncontrolled into the ocean.

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.