Forecast looks good for Friday launch of Delta IV and GPS satellite

United Launch Alliance and Air Force mission managers are meeting today to assess their readiness to launch a Delta IV rocket and Global Positioning System satellite at 11:25 p.m. Friday.

The weather forecast is excellent, with an 80 percent chance of favorable conditions Friday night and continued good weather through the weekend, if additional attempts are necessary.

There's a slight chance that anvil clouds from thunderstorm activity could linger in the area or that cumulus clouds could form offshore. Read the official forecast here.

Late Tuesday, managers announced the launch would be pushed back a day, from Thursday to Friday, to fix a problem with a launch pad swing arm at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 37.

The launch window lasts 18 minutes, ending at 11:43 p.m.

The Air Force is launching the first of a new generation of Boeing-built GPS satellites expected to provide more precise navigation capability to the armed forces and civilians.

IMAGE: GPS IIF satellite. Credit: The Boeing Co.