spacetoday.net: Delta 4 launch delayed

Posted: Tue, Jan 13, 2009, 11:31 PM ET (0431 GMT)
Delta 4 Heavy before DSP-23 launch (ULA)

The launch of a classified military satellite on a Delta 4 Heavy rocket was postponed 24 hours on Tuesday because of a minor technical problem. The launch, which has been scheduled for Tuesday evening, was scrubbed about 12 hours in advance of the planned launch after technicians discovered minor damage to spray-on insulating foam on an access door in the interstage portion of the rocket. The insulation was repaired, but needed enough time to set that a Tuesday evening launch would not be possible. The launch has been rescheduled for Wednesday at 7:45 pm EST (0045 GMT Thursday), with weather conditions forecast to be excellent. The rocket is carrying a classified payload identified only as NROL-26 for the National Reconnaissance Office.