Live coverage: SpaceX launches its fifth Falcon 9 flight of the year

Hazardous anvil clouds approaching from a nearby thunderstorm forced SpaceX to abort the takeoff of a Falcon 9 launcher Monday, delaying the start of an International Space Station resupply mission and a bold attempt to recover the rocket intact on an ocean-going platform.

A commercial Cygnus cargo freighter arrived at the International Space Station Tuesday two-and-a-half days after launching from Virginia’s Eastern Shore, delivering a new British-made high-speed communications antenna and more than 7,000 pounds of other experiments and equipment.

The move not only allows SpaceX to increase its allowed launches at pad 40 from 50 to 120, but it also permits the Texas-based company to construct a new landing site adjacent to the launch pad.