Weather an issue for Atlas V rocket launch from Cape Canaveral

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket stands ready for launch with cargo for delivery to the International Space Station on launch complex 41at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, in Cape Canaveral, F…

Rain and cloudy skies delayed Orbital ATK’s planned resumption on Thursday of cargo runs to the International Space Station, a year after the company’s Antares rocket exploded during launch.

An unmanned Atlas V rocket sits on the launch pad, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, at Cape Canaveral, Fla. While NASA’s global partners have helped keep supplies flowing to astronauts aboard the station, this will be the first U.S.-based attempt since then.

Orbital’s rocket men acknowledge being a little nervous about the upcoming launch, even though the Atlas has been around for decades and is a tried and true workhorse.

The Cygnus is due to carry more than 3,500kg of food, clothing, supplies and science experiments to the space station, including a prototype satellite astronauts will put together like a Lego kit.

60 per cent chance of favourable weather during the launch window. “The forecast tomorrow calls for a 30% chance of acceptable conditions at launch time”, NASA reported.

Orbital Sciences’ Antares rocket explodes 6 seconds after liftoff, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, from Wallops Island, Virginia. HoloLens augmented-reality goggles to assist astronauts aboard the space station, according to Bloomberg. Orbital expects to start using its own Antares rocket again in May 2016.

Orbital accelerated plans to outfit Antares with new engines and purchased two Atlas rocket rides to fly Cygnus capsules to the station. SpaceX also is stuck on Earth, at least until next month. SpaceX, meanwhile, aims to restart station deliveries in January with its Falcon rockets. The International Space Station has been programme is a joint programme of the NASA, Russian space agency ROSCOSMOS, Japenese Space agency JAXA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

The mission is the first flight of the Cygnus advanced maneuvering spacecraft.