Launch delay for NASA's newest planet-hunting spacecraft

NASA's newest planet-hunting spacecraft will have to wait another two days before lifting off.

Two hours before today's scheduled liftoff, SpaceX announced it was delaying the launch for additional rocket analysis. The next attempt will be on Wednesday.

The satellite known as Tess will survey almost the entire sky, staring at the brightest, closest stars in an effort to find any planets that might be encircling them. These mysterious worlds beyond our solar system, called exoplanets, could harbour life.

Scientists expect Tess to discover thousands of rocky and icy planets and gas giants, maybe even water worlds and places defying imagination. Bigger and more powerful observatories of the future will scrutinise these prime candidates for potential signs of life.

The name Tess is short for Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite.