The planned launch of Russia's Progress MS-07 cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station was scrubbed Thursday (Oct. 12) in the last seconds leading up to the expected lift off.
"The first of the two tower umbilicals retracted about 35 seconds or so before launch as planned," said Rob Navias, launch commentator, on NASA TV. "The second of the two umbilicals usually retracts at about the 12 second mark to initiate the launch sequence. We did not see any engine start initiated, however."
The next launch attempt will be no earlier than Saturday (Oct. 14) at 3:46 am CDT (0846 GMT; 2:46 p.m. local Kazakh time). Roscosmos technicians are analyzing the cause of the scrubbed launch.
Due to orbital mechanics, a launch on Saturday would result in the cancellation of the planned demonstration of an expedited two-orbit, three and a half hour rendezvous and docking. A launch on Saturday will result in a two-day, 34-orbit trip to the space station.
This is the first launch abort of a space station-bound Progress in 68 flights.