Posted: Fri, Aug 1, 2003, 10:42 AM ET (1442 GMT)
Boeing announced late Thursday that it would delay the launch of a Delta 4 carrying a military communications satellite at least 24 hours to check the vehicle’s insulation. The launch, scheduled for the evening of Sunday, August 3, is now planned for no sooner than August 4. In a brief statement officials said that the launch was delayed "so that additional testing to verify launch vehicle insulation integrity can be accomplished," but offered no additional details. The launch of a Delta 2 Heavy last month was delayed for nearly two weeks primarily because of problems getting a band of cork insulation to adhere to the vehicle's first stage; it is unclear if this delay is related in any way to that problem. The Delta 4 is carrying the DSCS 3-B6 military communications satellite, the last in the DSCS series. The launch will be the third for the Delta 3 and the second military EELV launch.

Related Links:

•  Boeing press release
•  Spaceflight Now launch status center