Posted: Sat, Dec 11, 2004, 6:43 PM ET (2343 GMT)
The inaugural launch of Boeing's Delta 4 Heavy booster was scrubbed Saturday because of a problem with a computer system. The Delta 4 Heavy was scheduled to lift off during a three-hour launch window that opened at 2:31 pm EST (1931 GMT), but controllers scrubbed the launch nearly two hours before the window opened after technicians detected a problem with the Terminal Countdown Sequencer Rack, a computer system that controls the final 8.5 seconds of the launch countdown. Launch officials said that the problem, detected Saturday morning around the time fueling of the rocket was scheduled to begin, could not be corrected in time to permit a launch Saturday. The launch has been rescheduled for Sunday at 2:32 pm EST (1932 GMT). Weather conditions, which were iffy for a Saturday launch regardless of the technical problems, are expected to improve, with an 80-percent chance of acceptable weather by launch time.

Related Links:

•  Spaceflight Now article
•  Florida Today launch journal