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June 21 (UPI) — The launch of United Launch Alliance’s heavy space launch vehicle with a spy satellite for the U.S. Defense Department’s NROL-68 space reconnaissance program was aborted early Wednesday due to a technical glitch.
The launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida was called off due to an issue with a ground systems pneumatic valve, and liftoff has been rescheduled for Thursday at 3:25 a.m. EDT, according to ULA’s Twitter post.
The weather for the new launch window is forecasted to be similar to Wednesday but with slightly more favorable conditions for a launch, with an 80% chance of “go” conditions. However, there is a potential for storms and wind gusts that could cause further delays.
“The highest threat for storms will target the afternoon and evening hours,” Space Force forecasters stated in a report Tuesday. “There is a risk that earlier storms and associated clouds may persist into the overnight hours as a series of upper-level disturbances interact with a surface boundary across north Florida.”
The main concerns at Launch Complex 37, where the rocket is being prepared for its second launch attempt in 24 hours, are anvil clouds and ground wind, according to forecasters.
The Delta IV Heavy rocket, which is nearing retirement, was supposed to deliver the satellite into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office. The previous five launch attempts were aborted due to technical issues and bad weather conditions.
ULA is expected to replace the Delta IV Heavy rocket with its next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket in the coming months. However, the new rocket is still undergoing flight readiness testing, and the company had to cancel the first-ever launch pad engine test due to a technical fault with the booster.
