Launch of SBIRS GEO 4 scrubbed
Tonight’s launch is the first scheduled United Launch Alliance mission to take place from Cape Canaveral in 2018. Photo Credit: Mike Howard / SpaceFlight Insider
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The planned flight of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 rocket has been scrubbed by at least 24 hours due to unspecified reasons. The mission was set to lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41 in Florida with the fourth Space Based Infrared System GEO (SBIRS GEO 4) satellite with the window scheduled to open at 7:52 p.m. EST (00:52 GMT on Friday, Jan. 19).
The flight of SBIRS GEO 4 is the first scheduled Cape launch for ULA’s Atlas V rocket this year (2018).
ULA provided the following information about the cause of this scrub: The launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V carrying the SBIRS GEO Flight 4 mission was scrubbed today due to a ground issue associated with the booster liquid oxygen system.
The launch is planned for Friday, Jan. 19, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The forecast shows a 90 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The launch time is 7:48 p.m. ET.
Jason Rhian
Jason Rhian spent several years honing his skills with internships at NASA, the National Space Society and other organizations. He has provided content for outlets such as: Aviation Week & Space Technology, Space.com, The Mars Society and Universe Today.
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