spacetoday.net: Delta 4 launch scrubbed again

Posted: Thu, Jan 15, 2009, 6:23 AM ET (1123 GMT)
Delta 4 Heavy before DSP-23 launch (ULA)

A fault valve scrubbed Wednesday night's scheduled launch of a classified payload on a Delta 4 Heavy rocket. Controllers scrubbed the launch of the giant rocket after encountering a problem with a gaseous nitrogen valve in ground equipment used to purge air from various compartments of the vehicle; without the system working the rocket could not be fueled and the launch was thus postponed. The launch has been rescheduled for Thursday at 7:41 pm EST (0041 GMT Friday). The launch had been previously planned for Tuesday but was postponed to repair some insulation on the launch vehicle. The Delta 4 Heavy is carrying a classified payload identified only as NROL-26 for the National Reconnaissance Office.