ULA announces new launch date for NROL-44
Smoke dissipates from SLC-37B following the hot fire abort during the August 29, 2020 launch attempt of the NROL-44 mission. Photo: Matt Haskell, SpaceFlight Insider
United Launch Alliance has set September 27, 2020 as the target date for the third launch attempt of the NROL-44 payload aboard their Delta IV Heavy Rocket, due to launch at 12:10 a.m. EDT. The launch window will last for approximately 90 minutes.
In a rare and unusual set of circumstances, the previous launch attempt on August 29 was prematurely halted approximately three seconds before liftoff when the starboard booster of the Delta rocket ignited and was promptly shut down. ULA initially stated that the delay would last at least a week as the minimum time to recycle the launch pad, including its Radially Outward Firing Igniters (ROFIs), is seven days. The launch team was able to conduct an investigation as to the cause of the shutdown and ultimately found that the abort was triggered by a stuck regulator on the launchpad, a result from a torn diaphragm, which can occur over time. There are three regulators for each booster, and ULA decided to replace and test all nine regulators out of an abundance of caution.
If all goes according to plan, this flight will mark the first Delta IV Heavy launch for ULA of 2020, and one of the rockets final flights, with just four launches remaining following this mission. The most recent weather forecast, issued by the 45th Space Wing, indicates 80% likelihood of favorable conditions for launch.
The most recent weather forecast for the upcoming NROL-44 mission, as issued from the 45th Space Wing.
Cullen Desforges
Having a life-long interest in crewed space flight, Desforges’ passion materialized on a family vacation in 1999 when he was able see the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-96. Since then, Desforges has been an enthusiast of space exploration efforts. He lived in Orlando, Florida for a year, during which time he had the opportunity to witness the flights of the historic CRS-4 and EFT-1 missions in person at Cape Canaveral. He earned his Private Pilot Certificate in 2017, holds a degree in Aviation Management, and currently works as an Operations Analyst in the aviation industry in Georgia.
Reader Comments