Atlas launch delayed again
Posted: Sun, Aug 29, 2004, 10:12 AM ET (1412 GMT)
The launch of the final Atlas 2 rocket was delayed for the second consecutive day on Saturday, this time because of a propellant leak on the launch pad. The Atlas 2AS was scheduled to launch at around 7 pm EDT (2300 GMT) Saturday, but controllers scrubbed the launch after a valve on a storage tank at the launch site was inadvertently left open, allowing nearly 40,000 liters of liquid oxygen to leak out. While the spilled propellant posed no risk, it did deplete supplies in the tank enough the controllers felt there would not be enough remaining to top of the propellant tanks in the Atlas vehicle before the launch, forcing the scrub. Weather conditions were also unfavorable for a launch. The launch has been rescheduled for the same time Sunday, although weather forecasts continue to call for poor conditions at launch time because of the threat of thunderstorms. The rocket is carrying a satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office only known as NROL-1; no other information about the spacecraft has been released. The launch will be the final mission for the Atlas 2 family of boosters, which is being retired to make way for the more powerful Atlas 5.
The launch of the final Atlas 2 rocket was delayed for the second consecutive day on Saturday, this time because of a propellant leak on the launch pad. The Atlas 2AS was scheduled to launch at around 7 pm EDT (2300 GMT) Saturday, but controllers scrubbed the launch after a valve on a storage tank at the launch site was inadvertently left open, allowing nearly 40,000 liters of liquid oxygen to leak out. While the spilled propellant posed no risk, it did deplete supplies in the tank enough the controllers felt there would not be enough remaining to top of the propellant tanks in the Atlas vehicle before the launch, forcing the scrub. Weather conditions were also unfavorable for a launch. The launch has been rescheduled for the same time Sunday, although weather forecasts continue to call for poor conditions at launch time because of the threat of thunderstorms. The rocket is carrying a satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office only known as NROL-1; no other information about the spacecraft has been released. The launch will be the final mission for the Atlas 2 family of boosters, which is being retired to make way for the more powerful Atlas 5.| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
NASA to launch Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope in September
Posted: Sat, Apr 25 10:54 AM ET (1454 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, April 27
Program: PNG Starlink ban to end after National Court ruling
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — 5:26 am ET (0926 GMT) Starlink set to return to Papua New Guinea after court quashes ban, clearing path for connectivity
Radio New Zealand — 5:26 am ET (0926 GMT) U.S. Space Command Commander Gen. Stephen N. Whiting to Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Redstone Arsenal
US Space Command — 5:25 am ET (0925 GMT) Space Command facility ribbon cutting set for Wednesday
WAFF-TV — 5:25 am ET (0925 GMT) SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base Sunday morning
KSBY-TV San Luis Obispo, CA — 5:24 am ET (0924 GMT) |
