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Weather threatening Mars rover launch and SpaceX splashdown
It is a big week for the Space Coast, as the United Launch Alliance is expected to launch a Mars rover from Cape Canaveral and the two astronauts who completed SpaceX's first manned mission are scheduled to return just days later.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Tropical weather barreling toward Florida could delay this weekend’s planned return of the first SpaceX crew.
On Wednesday, SpaceX and NASA cleared the Dragon crew capsule to depart the International Space Station and head home after a two-month flight.
Because NASA test pilots Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken will aim for the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico just off Florida’s coast, the wind and waves must be relatively calm. It would be the first astronaut splashdown in 45 years
Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
RELATED: Tropical Storm Isaias forms with Florida still in its forecasted path
Managers are targeting a Sunday splashdown, right around the time rough weather is expected to hit Florida. The weather system was in the eastern Caribbean on Wednesday and developed into a tropical storm on Wednesday night at 11 p.m.
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Tropical Storm Isaias forms in Caribbean
Florida remains in the forecast path of the tropical storm.
NASA’s commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, said flight controllers will closely monitor the weather and, if necessary, keep the astronauts at the space station until conditions improve.
“You have to remember this is a test flight,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said from Kennedy Space Center. “If the weather isn’t good or the sea states aren’t good, we’re going to take our time bringing Bob and Doug home. Our No. 1 highest priority is their safety.”
TRACK THE TROPICS: Visit the FOX 35 Orlando Hurricane Center for the latest in the tropics, including daily updates, live radar, and severe weather alerts
Elon Musk’s SpaceX company made history on May 30 when launching Hurley and Behnken. It marked the first launch of NASA astronauts from the U.S. in nearly a decade and also the first time a private company sent people into orbit. SpaceX is already preparing to launch a second crew to the space station at the end of September.
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Historic SpaceX launch
It was a historic day for SpaceX after successfully launching a Falcon 9 rocket carrying two American astronauts to the International Space Station.
NASA wants six weeks between the splashdown and the launch of the next Dragon crew, for capsule inspections and reviews.
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Track the Tropics on the FOX 35 Weather App
FOX 35 meteorologist Allison Gargaro tracks the tropics on the FOX 35 weather app.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.