Here's why NASA keeps postponing its really cool mission to make glowing clouds

For any space fan, rocket launch delays are a part of life.

Certain rocket companies (I'm looking at you SpaceX) are even known for calling off launches somewhat unexpectedly at the last minute.

And of course, weather can consistently be a problem. Rockets function at the upper level of our understanding of physics and materials sciences, meaning that even a rogue could throw everything off, destroying millions of dollars of hardware.

But NASA really takes the cake in terms of called off, or "scrubbed," launch attempts with this week's delayed sounding rocket, which is carrying a payload that will create colorful, artificial clouds.

The space agency has had to reschedule the suborbital sounding rocket launch more than seven times in the last few weeks. NASA has even called off the rocket's expected launch attempt Friday, and it hasn't yet been rescheduled.

Folks on Twitter haven't exactly been happy about the delay either, dropping into NASA's mentions after launch scrubs to tell the space agency how they really feel.

Once the mission actually gets off the ground from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, it'll be pretty amazing. Vapor released from the rocket's payload will create red and blue-green artificial auroras in the sky that will likely be seen from New York to Virginia.

The whole mission is designed to help scientists learn more about how to study the ways particles move in space.

This very cool mission is part of the problem, however.

"For this type of launch the clear skies requirement makes the criteria a little more stringent," NASA spokesman Keith Koehler said via email. "Clear skies are needed for ground cameras to observe the vapor deployment."

On top of that, NASA needs winds to be low, the temperature to be right, and boats to be out of the area where the rocket might splash down in the Atlantic Ocean.

It's not just clouds that have been an issue for this rocket launch. Rogue boats in the hazard zone, high winds, and other issues have also forced postponements.

So, if NASA ever does get this thing off the ground, you can watch it live online directly through Wallops. And for anyone along the eastern seaboard, be sure to look outside and try to spot those sparkly, artificial clouds.