SpaceX delays flight to replace NASA's stuck astronauts after launch pad problem
Cape Canaveral (US) (AP): A launch pad problem prompted SpaceX to delay a flight to the International Space Station on Wednesday to replace NASA's two stuck astronauts - Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.
The new crew needs to get to the International Space Station before the two can head home after nine months in orbit.
Concerns over a critical hydraulic system arose less than four hours before the Falcon rocket's planned evening liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. As the countdown clocks ticked down, engineers evaluated the hydraulics used to release one of the two arms clamping the rocket to its support structure. This structure needs to tilt back right before liftoff.
Already strapped into their capsule, the four astronauts awaited a final decision, which came down with less than an hour remaining in the countdown. SpaceX canceled for the day. Officials later said the launch was off until at least Friday.
Once at the space station, the U.S., Japanese and Russian crew will replace Wilmore and Williams, who have been up there since June. The two test pilots had to move into the space station for an extended stay after Boeing's new Starliner capsule encountered major breakdowns in transit.
Starliner's debut crew flight was supposed to last just a week, but NASA ordered the capsule to return empty and transferred Wilmore and Williams to SpaceX for the return leg.
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Bengaluru: Man found dead with stab injuries, three held
Bengaluru (PTI): A man with stab injuries was found dead inside his rented house here and three people, including a woman with whom he was in a relationship, were arrested in connection with the murder, police said on Monday.
The deceased, identified as Mohan Rao, was in his 40s. He was engaged in pigmy collection, financing two-wheelers, and some small-scale business activities, they said.
The incident occurred on February 27 at Manjunath Nagar, which falls under the limits of Bagalagunte police station, police said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Nagesh D L said, "When we visited the spot and conducted an inspection, it was found that someone had murdered him (Rao) and left the body there. In this connection, a murder case was registered and an investigation was taken up."
During the investigation, it came to light that three persons were involved in the murder — a woman identified as Bindu, and her associates Vinay and Dhanush Gowda.
"Accordingly, all three have been arrested and taken into custody. Further investigation is under way," he said.
Citing preliminary investigation, the officer said that about two to three months ago, Rao and Bindu had told the house owner that they were a couple. However, they were not husband and wife but were living together.
"Rao had left his wife and had been living alone for a long time. At the same time, the woman (Bindu) had also been married earlier and was living separately from her husband. So both of them came together and took a house for rent," he said.
Later, Bindu developed a close friendship with Vinay and the two decided to get married.
It is said that Rao was creating obstacles to their marriage and was forcing the woman to stay with him, the officer said.
With the intention of "teaching him a lesson" and putting an end to the issue, the three allegedly conspired and committed the crime, he added.
"It is learnt that they (accused) made him consume alcohol at night, then stabbed him with a knife and also suffocated him by covering his mouth and nose with plastic, thereby committing the murder," DCP Nagesh said in a video statement.
Bindu claims that she has completed LLB, but that needs to be verified. She also claims to have acted in some short videos or movies, but police said they do not have proper information yet.
Responding to questions, the DCP said Vinay is a lorry driver who became acquainted with Bindu, and the two decided to get married. Since Rao was allegedly obstructing their marriage, he was murdered for that reason.
Gowda, described as a friend known to Bindu, was also involved in the crime. He was reportedly working at a restaurant, he said.
Police said Bindu had called Gowda over the phone seeking help, following which he joined the other two in committing the crime. Further investigation is underway.
