Historic SpaceX and NASA launch canceled due to bad weather; next attempt Saturday

HOUSTON – The launch of a SpaceX rocket ship with two NASA astronauts on a history-making flight into orbit has been called off with 16 minutes to go in the countdown because of the danger of lightning.

Liftoff is rescheduled for Saturday.

The spacecraft was set to blast off Wednesday afternoon for the International Space Station, ushering in a new era in commercial spaceflight and putting NASA back in the business of launching astronauts from U.S. soil for the first time in nearly a decade.

Ever since the space shuttle was retired in 2011, NASA has relied on Russian rockets to carry astronauts to and from the space station.

See our coverage of launch day below:

3:20 p..m. -- Bad weather stands in the way

Historic SpaceX and NASA launch canceled due to bad weather. The next attempt will be made Saturday.

2:30 p.m. -- Watch Kelly Clarkson’s National Anthem performance ahead of the launch

1:48 p.m. -- Air Force One flies over launchpad 39-A

President Donald Trump got a bird’s-eye view of launchpad 39-A ahead of Wednesday afternoon’s launch. Air Force One flew over the pad where missions to the moon and some shuttle missions were launched.

Forecasters have said that weather conditions are being monitored but storms in the area seemed to be “eroding."

1:29 p.m. -- Dragon capsule hatch sealed

As the countdown continues to Wednesday afternoon’s historic launch, the hatch of the Dragon capsule spacecraft has been sealed. Officials are still monitoring weather ahead of the launch.

1:23 p.m. -- ‘A dream come true’

SpaceX founder Elon Musk says he never expected his space company would be launching humans into space, and called the launch “a dream come true.”

1:05 p.m. -- Communications check underway

The astronauts are performing communication checks to make sure that all of the equipment used to speak to the crew is functioning properly.

12:41 p.m. -- Astronauts board Dragon capsule

Behnken and Hurley have ascended to the top of the launch tower walked across the crew access arm and have been belted into the Dragon capsule ahead of the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that will carry them to space.

12:34 p.m. -- Astronauts arrive at launchpad 39-A

The astronauts have arrived at launchpad 39-A, which is the same launchpad where missions to the moon and some of the shuttle missions were launched. They will now ascend the structure and board the Dragon capsule that sits atop the Falcon 9 rocket.

12:15 p.m. -- Astronauts wave to cameras before heading to the launchpad

The astronauts waved to the cameras and gave a thumbs-up before stepping into two Tesla SUVs and heading to the launchpad. The families of each of the astronauts were able to say goodbye to them through the windows of the vehicles.

11:35 a.m. -- Astronauts begin suit-up, weather remains watch item

According to the status updates from NASA, astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley have started the suit-up process. We’re expecting to see the astronauts for the final time before they board the Dragon capsule atop SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket in about 45 minutes.

Officials are still watching the weather as the 3:33 p.m. launch approaches.

11:22 a.m. -- SpaceX prelaunch coverage begins

SpaceX has started its prelaunch coverage. You can watch it in the video player below.

11:15 a.m. -- NASA’s prelaunch coverage begins

NASA’s prelaunch coverage began at 11:15 a.m. You can watch it in the video at the top of this page.

11:06 a.m. -- What did they have for breakfast?

10:50 a.m. – How the day will unfold

Here’s a look at the schedule for today. All times are Central.

• 8 a.m. – Astronauts undergo medical checks and have breakfast.
• 11:20 a.m. – Weather briefing.
• Noon – Suit-up process begins for the astronauts.
• 1:30 p.m. -- Astronauts depart for the launchpad.
• 3:33 p.m. – Launch.