ULA Postpones Satellite Launch, Reschedules for Thursday Night
United Launch Alliance (ULA) delayed its attempt to launch a communications satellite on Wednesday and will try again Thursday night. The launch involves the Atlas V rocket stationed at Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) at Cape Canaveral.
Reason for Delay
The launch was scrubbed due to an issue with the booster’s liquid oxygen tank vent valve, according to ULA. The mission will now take place during a 44-minute window beginning at 10:16 p.m. on Thursday.
About the Satellite and Mission
The Atlas V rocket will carry the ViaSat-3 F2 satellite, a Ka-band communications satellite built by Viasat, a California-based company. This satellite aims to deliver ultra-high-capacity broadband services across the Americas to meet growing customer demand.
Launch Activity on the Space Coast
- The Space Coast is approaching a record-breaking year for launches from Florida.
- If ULA's launch succeeds, it will be the 93rd launch of the year, tying last year's record.
- There is potential for the region to reach 100 launches in a year for the first time.
- Blue Origin plans a second launch of its New Glenn rocket from Space Launch Complex 36 on Sunday.
"The launch, which would have been part of a double-header with Space X, was scrubbed because of an issue involving a booster’s liquid oxygen tank vent valve." — United Launch Alliance
"The satellite is designed to provide broadband services over the Americas to address increasing customer demand." — Viasat
Author's summary: ULA's delayed launch of the ViaSat-3 F2 broadband satellite from Cape Canaveral is rescheduled for Thursday night, keeping Florida's Space Coast on track for a record year of space launches.