LIVE IMAGES: Refresh this page to see the latest pictures from video feeds at the Delta IV launch complex at Cape Canaveral. A Delta IV rocket got a "go" today to launch Thursday evening from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on a mission to deliver a new national weather satellite to orbit.
The United Launch Alliance rocket and its payload -- a Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite -- are scheduled to blast off during an hour-long window that will open at 6:17 p.m. Thursday.
ULA and NASA managers gave the go-ahead at the conclusion today of a Launch Readiness Review. A prelaunch news conference is scheduled for 4 p.m., and you can watch it live her in The Flame Trench. Click the NASA TV box on the right side of the page to launch our NASA TV viewer and live coverage.
The weather forecast calls for a 90 percent chance conditions will be acceptable for launch. The only concern is a chance of strong ground-level winds.
Check out the official forecast from the U.S. Air Force 45th Space Wing Weather Squadron HERE.
The launch had been slated for Tuesday, but technicians ran into a couple of problems during routine testing. A faulty steering thruster valve was replaced and retested over the past weekend and then engineers discovered a faulty fuel-line quick disconnect valve. The fuel-line valve was replaced Tuesday.
The Mobile Service Tower at Launch Complex 37 will back away from the rocket starting at 7 a.m. Thursday. An eight-hour countdown is scheduled to begin at 9:17 a.m. Thursday. Check out the details on the countdown and the flight in this United Launch Alliance Mission Booklet HERE.
Check out the Official NASA Press Kit HERE.
2 comments:
MILK IT!!! Milk those tax payers for all they are worth and launch that satellite that supports weather forecasting, severe storm tracking, and meteorology research that we wouldn't otherwise have!!!
Excellent article Florida Today! I believe someone from your crew should start training to go in a Space Flight! You have faithfully kept us informed and educated!to make a believer of all that is possible!Who will travel in the coming years!One of you I hope! We are the MAJORITY, THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY, AND LIKE KOSMAS SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE A MATTER OF ONE OR THE OTHER...just eliminate Fraud and lack of Ethics in Government and you will have enough to send more than one Space Shuttle into Space!The bottom line is: WE, the people know what is best for our country. Not one person, one senate or one congress.
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