Delta 4 Heavy Launch Delayed Again

Next week's planned launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 Heavy rocket carrying a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload has been delayed, the NRO confirmed today.

A meeting this afternoon is expected to determine whether liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 37 could be rescheduled before Christmas, or if it could slide into next year, said NRO spokesman Rick Oborn.

Oborn said a combination of rocket and payload issues requiring further checkout were responsible for the delay.

"It's an expensive piece of equipment on top and really important for the nation, so we just don't do it until everything's perfect," Oborn said.

Originally targeted for late July, the launch shifted to November. Technical problems with the spacecraft then pushed the target date to Dec. 16.

Managers are reviewing whether current technical issues can be resolved within the next couple of weeks, and also considering the impact on personnel of launching near the year-end holidays, Oborn said.

"They'll make a decision based on all those factors, both mechanical as well as based on personnel," he said.

Read this United Launch Alliance product card to learn more about Delta 4 rockets, or click here to learn more about the history of Delta rockets from Boeing.

IMAGE NOTE: Click the Delta 4 Heavy launch photo twice to fully enlarge it and save it. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance.