Live At The Cape: Cryogenic Loading Under Way

Engineers are loading supercold liquid oxygen into the first stage of a Delta II rocket as the countdown to the planned launch of a military navigation satellite continue at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The 12-story United Launch Alliance rocket and its payload remain scheduled to blast off at Launch Complex 17A between 4:34 a.m. and 4:41 a.m.

The Air Force-ULA launch team began the cryogenic propellant load after a mission managers were briefed by Launch Weather Officer Joel Tumbiolo.

Tumbiolo reported that the weather forecast remains at 90 percent "go" with the only concern being a slight chance that mid- to upper-level clouds approaching central Florida from the northwest could sweep into the area during the window. He considered the chance so low that it's doubtful a weather reconnaissance aircraft now on standby will have to be scrambled to check the clouds.

There is no precipitation in the area and none is expected. The ground winds are 10 to 15 knots -- well below the 34 knot limit, and upper-level winds are expected to be no constraint to launch. They are gusting at about 50 knots now.

The temperature at launch time is expected to be 62 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

All weather commit criteria are green and no technical problems are being worked at this time.