Gusty winds delay NASA's Orion spaceship test flight

The Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft sits on the launch pad awaiting liftoff in the early morning light at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida on December 4.

The launch of NASA's deep-space capsule Orion for a test flight around Earth was delayed on Thursday due to gusty winds at the launch site.

Liftoff of the United Launch Alliance Delta 4 Heavy rocket and Orion capsule from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida had been targeted for 7:05 a.m. EST (1205 GMT).

"There is high optimism that we'll be able to launch today," said NASA launch commentator Michael Curie.

Launch was delayed first by a boat that wandered in the restricted zone beneath the rocket's intended flight path and then by gusty winds at the seaside spaceport.