SpaceX Pauses Polaris Dawn Launch Amid Weather Concerns

SpaceX delayed the Falcon 9 launch of Polaris Dawn due to unfavorable weather. Paralympian John McFall is set for future space missions. India's space agency eyes budget hikes. Scientists in Chile study Antarctic changes. SpaceX faces delays from equipment leaks. Boeing's Starliner struggles amid setbacks.

SpaceX has postponed the Falcon 9 launch of Polaris Dawn due to an unfavorable weather forecast in splashdown areas near Florida. The mission's launch was originally scheduled for early Wednesday.

Meanwhile, John McFall, a British Paralympian, will break barriers in both sports and space. Cleared for future missions by the European Space Agency, McFall is also supporting Team GB at the Paris Games this week.

In other news, India's space agency anticipates a 20%-30% budget increase, according to ISRO Chairman S Somanath. Ongoing plans include a heavy-lift booster rocket using both private and public funds, as well as crewed space missions.

Scientists gathered in southern Chile for the 11th Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research conference, focusing on the rapid changes occurring in Antarctica. The meeting covered various scientific disciplines, all noting accelerated changes on the continent.

SpaceX faced another setback when a helium leak in ground equipment delayed the Polaris Dawn mission. The four-person Crew Dragon mission's highlight will be a 20-minute spacewalk, setting a milestone in private space exploration.

Boeing's Starliner capsule, despite being a crucial part of NASA's plans, has faced multiple delays and technical issues. Analysts express concern over the future of Boeing's space unit as costs have escalated to $1.6 billion in overruns since 2016.

(With inputs from agencies.)