The launch of NASA’s space probe to the asteroid Psyche had to be postponed due to adverse weather conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket is currently scheduled to launch on October 13 at 10:19 ET (5:19 PM Kiev time).

The American instrument “Psyche”, built to study the metallic asteroid of the same name, was due to launch this morning from site 39A of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. However, at the press conference the day before, it was stated that the probability of weather conditions being suitable for this was only 20%. There was a storm last night and since good weather was expected on Friday and Saturday, it was decided to abandon the launch attempt on Thursday.

US Space Force launch weather specialist Arlena Moses explained that a low pressure area is approaching the area where the space center is located, which means stronger winds are expected to increase as well as winds from the south and southwest. The chance of favorable weather on Friday and Saturday morning is estimated to be 50%.

The measures also relate to the design features of the Falcon Heavy rocket; It can be fully refueled up to two times before launch and will require maintenance afterwards. The “Psyche” launch window will be open until October 25 – the probe will go to the asteroid of the same name, located in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter. According to one version, the metallic body may be the exposed core of a protoplanet.