spacetoday.net: Weather delays Atlas launch again

Posted: Sat, Feb 18, 2012, 9:57 AM ET (1457 GMT)
Atlas 5 before MUOS-1 launch (ULA)

The launch of a military communications satellite has been rescheduled for no earlier than Wednesday after weather conditions kept its Atlas rocket grounded for the second straight day. The Atlas 5 551 was scheduled to launch on late Friday afternoon carrying the MUOS-1 satellite for the US Navy, but poor weather conditions throughout the 44-minute launch window kept the launch from proceeding. The initial launch attempt on Thursday was scrubbed because of gusty upper-level winds. Given weather forecasts and range availability at Cape Canaveral, United Launch Alliance since the next launch attempt would be no earlier than Wednesday, February 22. MUOS-1 is the first in the new Mobile User Objective System series of satellites designed to provide mobile communications for military forces.