Deteriorating weather conditions at the Kennedy Space Centre saw the first manned space mission from American soil in nine years abandoned just minutes before lift off.
Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken were in the final 17 minutes of the countdown of the SpaceX Crew Dragon mission to the International Space Station when the launch was aborted.
Fears of thunderstorms in the skies above Florida forced controllers to stop the mission, which would have been the first by the US since the Space Shuttle programme was ended in 2011.
A second attempt will be made to launch what would also have been the first commercial space flight on Saturday
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US astronauts Bob Behnken, right, and Doug Hurley walk out of the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida, before their aborted space fligh on May 27, 2020. Getty Images -
Nasa's first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle programme in 2011 was called off 17 minutes before launch because of bad weather and rescheduled for May 30, 2020. AP Photo -
Astronaut Douglas Hurley is seen on a monitor in firing room four during suit-up at the Neil A Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building ahead of the planned launch. AFP -
Liquid oxygen vents off the Falcon 9 rocket moments before the mission was aborted due to weather problems. AP -
Astronauts Doug Hurley, front, and Bob Behnken, sit in the Crew Dragon capsule after the launch was aborted. AP -
Doug Hurley, centre, and Bob Behnken confer with technicians after leaving the Crew Dragon capsule. AP -
Bob Behnken waves as he and fellow crew member Doug Hurley ride back from Pad 39-A after their mission was delayed by stormy weather. AP -
US President Donald Trump helps first lady Melania Trump with her seat while attending a SpaceX mission briefing at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral. Reuters -
President Donald Trump looks at a piece of equipment to sign during a tour of Nasa facilities before viewing the SpaceX Demonstration Mission 2 Launch at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. From left, second lady Karen Pence, Vice President Mike Pence, Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Michael Hawes, vice president of Lockheed Martin and Orion Project Manager, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and Kennedy Space Center director Bob Cabana. AP Photo -
Stephen Koerner, Director of the Flight Operations Directorate at Nasa’s Johnson Space Centre, left, and Pat Forrester, chief of the US space agency's astronaut office, right, monitor the launch countdown. AFP -
Nasa management are seen on a teleconference in firing room four following the attempted launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. EPA -
Spectators cross Highway 1 in Titusville, Florida as they leave their viewing spots shortly after the launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 was scrubbed. AP Photo
The SpaceX Dragon and Falcon rocket were developed by a private company owned by billionaire Elon Musk to provide a commercial “taxi service" to the ISS for the American space agency Nasa.
The timing of the launch window was crucial in order for the astronauts to dock with the space station as its orbit carried it overhead in Florida.
SpaceX is one of two US companies who have won Nasa contracts to fly astronauts to the ISS and hoped it had beaten the rival Boeing Starliner in the race to put America back in space.
It is the final step in certification needed to operate long-term manned missions to space.
Mr Behnken and Mr Hurley were chosen by Nasa to be astronauts in 2000.
They have each flown twice into orbit on space shuttle missions, but this is the first time they have worked together on a mission.
Mr Hurley, the spacecraft commander in charge of the launch, landing and recovery of the vehicle, was a fighter pilot in the US Marine Corps.
Mr Behnken, who will serve as the mission's joint operations commander and take responsibility for the rendezvous, was a flight test engineer with the US Air Force.
The pair were wearing spacesuits designed by SpaceX and a Hollywood costume designer.
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Technicians work on the SpaceX Crew Dragon, attached to a Falcon 9 booster rocket, as it sits horizontal on Pad39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Reuters -
Astronauts Doug Hurley, foreground, and Bob Behnken in SpaceX's flight simulator. AP -
A life-size test mannequin and a stuffed toy are seen inside the capsule as it launches into orbit en route to the International Space Station, arriving 27 hours after take-off. AP -
The SpaceX Falcon 9 sits on Launch Pad 39-A. AP -
The rocket sits on the launch pad. AFP -
The rocket is raised into position. AP Photo -
Crews work on the SpaceX Crew Dragon. Reuters -
Photographers set up remote cameras for Nasa's first manned flight since 2011. Reuters -
Workers prepare the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. AFP -
Final preparations are made. AFP -
The sun sets behind the Vehicle Assembly Building. Reuters -
NASA broadcast technicians make preparations for coverage at the Kennedy Space Centre. AFP
