spacetoday.net: Winds scrub Antares launch

Posted: Sun, Apr 21, 2013, 8:41 AM ET (1241 GMT)
Antares on pad for A-ONE launch (Orbital Sciences)

High upper-altitude winds postponed the second launch attempt for Orbital Sciences Corporation's Antares rocket on Saturday. The company had hoped to launch the Antares on its inaugural mission at 5 pm EDT (2100 GMT) Saturday from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, Virginia. Winds at altitude, however, were strong enough that any debris from an accident would be blown beyond designated limits, forcing Orbital to postpone the launch. The company is planning the next launch attempt at the same time Sunday, with a 75% chance of acceptable weather. The launch, designated A-ONE, will demonstrate the Antares vehicle by placing a simulated Cygnus cargo spacecraft into orbit. The rocket is also carrying several NASA CubeSats as secondary payloads.