NASA postpones test of Orion spacecraft
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Wind gusts and sluggish fuel valves conspired to keep NASA’s new Orion spacecraft on the launch pad Thursday, delaying a crucial test flight meant to revitalize human exploration.
NASA aimed for another shot Friday morning as tens of thousands of disappointed and weary launch guests hustled out. The weather report was iffy – forecasters expected higher winds, clouds and rain – but managers were optimistic the wind direction would shift in their favor.
United Launch Alliance’s Dan Collins, who’s in charge of the unmanned Delta IV rocket, said he was confident the valve trouble, seen before on a previous mission, could be quickly overcome.
It’s the first attempt to send a spacecraft capable of carrying humans beyond a couple hundred miles of Earth since the Apollo moon program.
U.S. reaches deal on troops with Iraq
BAGHDAD –Washington has an agreement with Baghdad on privileges and immunities for the growing number of troops based in Iraq who are helping in the fight against the Islamic State group, the new U.S. ambassador said Thursday.
Stuart Jones said Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi gave assurances that U.S. troops will receive immunity from prosecution. Under Iraq’s former prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, that issue was a major sticking point, ultimately leading to the decision to withdraw all remaining U.S. troops in late 2011.
The House voted Thursday on a proposed $5 billion expansion of U.S. military operations against the Islamic State group in Iraq.
Associated Press
