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Wind again stalls ISS supply launch

More than 3000kg of supplies for the International Space Station remains trapped on Earth because of high winds.

Heavy swells and gale force winds batter
More than 3000 kg of space station supplies remain trapped on Earth because of high winds. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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High wind is once again keeping space station supplies stuck on Earth.

An unmanned rocket loaded with 3356kg of cargo for the International Space Station - the first US shipment in months - was grounded by dangerous gusts on Saturday.

It was the third weather delay in a row.

Launch director Bill Cullen called off the attempt three hours in advance.

Technical troubles had bumped the late afternoon launch time to the last possible moment in the window.

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Given the high odds of excessive wind, there seemed little reason to proceed.

The next try comes on Sunday, when the weather is expected to improve, but is still only 60 per cent favourable.

NASA is anxious to get its commercial supply chain moving again.

Its two suppliers are grounded because of launch accidents dating back to 2014, and the space station pantry needs restocking.

Shipper Orbital ATK is using another company's rocket, the venerable Atlas V, for this run.

Besides food, Orbital's Cygnus cargo carrier contains clothes and toiletries for the six space station residents, as well as spacewalking gear, air-supply tanks and science experiments.

Christmas presents also are on board.


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