CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - NASA's newest rocket is stuck on the launch pad because of clouds and high wind.

Launch controllers tried repeatedly Tuesday to get the Ares I-X rocket flying. They got to within two-and-a-half minutes of launching the rocket, but the weather interfered. Minor problems stalled the countdown earlier in the morning.

Officials are deciding whether to try again Wednesday morning.

This is the first step in NASA's effort to return astronauts to the moon.

The experimental flight will last just two minutes. Parachutes

(NECN: Washington) - Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, the leading sponsor of the Democrats' climate bill, spoke this morning at the first of three planned hearings by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).

Officials are looking to make their case before the Senate for aggressive action to combat climate change.

Click here for more information.

"Climate change and our dependence on foreign oil are a significant threat to our national security," said Kerry.

The White House has made clear its support for the 900-page

(NECN/ABC/NASA) - NASA's new rocket for its back-to-the-moon program is on the launch pad, all set for a test flight Tuesday morning.

But rain and clouds could interfere.

It has been 30 years since NASA launched a new spacecraft and engineers can hardly wait to see how this one performs during its two and a half minute flight.

The last time NASA tested a spacecraft was STS 1 - the first flight of the space shuttle Columbia in 1981 - the space shuttle is still flying, but due to be retired after six more missions.

(NECN/AuBC) - The 2009 World Solar Challenge got under way on Sunday with 31 futuristic cars leaving the northern Australian city of Darwin on their way to Adelaide.

The cars were waved off by Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson and hundreds of motoring enthusiasts and conservationists.

Australia's Aurora 101 was fastest in time trials and was the first to be sent on its way.

All the other vehicles got off to a smooth start as well, apart from French Canadian entry Esteban, which left the start gate about 30 minutes late due to technical difficulties.

(NECN: Cambridge, Mass.) - President Barack Obama this afternoon delivered a speech at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

"We have always been about innovation, we have always been about discovery, that's in our DNA. The truth is, we also face more complex challenges than in years past," said Obama.

Obama said passage of comprehensive energy legislation is key to America's future success and that those opposing it are using "cynical claims" to stop it.

Obama said "the closer we get, the harder the opposition will fight."

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - If you are looking for something to do this weekend, you may want to check out the magical new exhibit at the Museum of Science in Boston.

Click here to visit the museum's Web site.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition opens this Sunday, and today, we are giving you a sneak peek, thanks to the museum's Vice President of Education, Paul Fontaine.

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - No one likes a bee sting, and our fears of bees is a common Hollywood theme, as seen in many movies. But, a recent study suggests that bee toxins might actually be useful in the fight against cancer.

Click here to visit the museum's Web site.

Joining NECN for a discussion from the Museum of Science in Boston in nanotechnology correspondent Alex Fiorentino.

(NECN: Ted McEnroe) - So here we are - after a long wait, it is time for Windows 7. But is it time to upgrade now?

(NECN) - In Sci-Tech Today, new research on our ancient primate past. Tim Kardatzke joins NECN from the Museum of Science-Boston to talk about the latest discovery in Egypt.

Earlier this summer there was a similar discovery in Germany. Tim explains how researchers will use both of these discoveries to learn more about our ancient relatives.

(NECN) - We have all had our share of run-ins with pesky wildlife at one time or another.

Now, a new high-tech device is helping animal control experts on Cape Cod do their jobs in a more humane manner.

Click here to read more from the Cape Cod Times.

Reporter Sarah Shemkus of the Cape Cod Times joins NECN for a discussion.