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09:22 GMT, 19 May 2012 The Mail

Embarrassment as historic launch of first private mission into space is cancelled just a SECOND before lift-off



A private space cargo firm's historic launch to the International Space Station descended into chaos
this morning when the mission was abandoned just one second before lift-off.

The unmanned SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was set to blast off from Cape Canaveral just before 10am
this morning (GMT) along with its Dragon capsule loaded with 1,000lbs of space station provisions.

But with just seconds before the rocket took to the skies, apparent technical problems left it rooted
to the launch pad, with lift-off subsequently abandoned for another three days.



The countdown reached all the way to practically zero Saturday morning for the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
A NASA spokesman said the engine ignition sequence started, but there was an automatic shutdown by
on-board computers.

So instead of blasting off from Cape Canaveral on a delivery mission to the International Space Station,
the rocket remained on its launch pad amid a cloud of engine exhaust.

An engine pressure problem is suspected. The next launch attempt will be Tuesday, if the problem can
be resolved in time.