Live at the Cape: Engine Checks OK

The Delta II countdown has entered the first of two built-in holds before a planned 10:49 p.m. liftoff.

The first hold, with the countdown clock reading 15 minutes, will last for 20 minutes. The second hold, with four minutes until liftoff, lasts about 10 minutes.

During the holds, engineers can catch up on work or troubleshoot problems, but no problems have been reported.

Just before the first hold began, engines on the United Launch Alliance Delta II vehicle were tested to make sure they will keep the rocket on track during flight.

Engineers gimbaled engines on the rocket's first and second stages and nine strap-on solid rocket boosters, six of which will ignite at liftoff.

The checks were successful.

Watch the rest of the countdown and the launch live here on The Flame Trench. Click on the image above to launch a NASA TV viewer.

And refresh this page for updates before and after the launch.