BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Hundreds of spectators gathered at Space View Park in Titusville, eager to witness the launch of Crew-10.
But just before liftoff, excitement turned to disappointment as the mission was scrubbed.
“It was packed,” said Maria Rodriguez, who had hoped to show her visiting family a rocket launch from Florida’s Space Coast.
Rodriguez, who lives in Orlando, said her relatives traveled from Colombia.
“They were really upset it got scrubbed,” she said.
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Nine-year-old Bexley Thomas, visiting from North Carolina, said the news brought her to tears.
“I was really excited because me and my dad love space a lot,” Thomas said. “But, you know, it’s OK.”
While the delay was disappointing, many spectators understood the necessity of the decision.
“It’s stuff that happens,” said Bill Reed. “You’re dealing with a lot of high-tech equipment, and it’s the safety of everybody involved, so it is what it is.”
Alyse Bailey, who drove in from Jacksonville with family visiting from Texas, said the delay put a damper on their trip.
“They have to go out of town again, so maybe I’ll come at a different time,” she said.
Visitors Katie Miller and Casey Cheney traveled from Huntsville, Alabama, hoping to catch their first live launch.
“A little bit disappointed,” Miller said. “I mean, we were excited to watch it go up for sure. Normally, we just watch it on the live stream.”