The countdown for the 8:23 a.m. EDT launch has resumed after a scheduled 20-minute hold. Another hold is scheduled for T-minus 4 minutes.
The weather continues slight improvement for the liftoff on a Delta 2 rocket carrying a modernized GPS satellite.
"We're trending in a positive direction," said United Launch Alliance spokesman Jessica Rye.
Earlier, the weather had been 60 percent "no go", but one hour from launch had reversed to 60 percent "go."
Within two weeks, the most advanced Global Satellite Positioning satellite will be operational, giving improved signals to military and civilian GPS units, which likely number in the millions.
After launching from Complex 17A on a Delta 2 rocket with nine strap-on solid rocket boosters, the satellite, built for the U.S. Air Force, will enter an orbit 11,000 miles above the earth.
The GPS IIR-17 will be the 77th consecutive Delta 2 rocket to deliver its payload. At least 25 Delta 2 rockets remain to fly during the next few years.

ULA photo of the rocket right after rollback.



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