Technical issue causes third scrub of NROL-52 mission
An Atlas V rocket with the NROL-52 mission stands on the pad at Space Launch Complex 41. Photo Credit: Tom Cross / SpaceFlight Insider
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Just when it looked like the angry gods of weather had acquiesced, an issue with a telemetry transmitter on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 421 rocket caused a third delay. The rocket and its payload, a satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office, will be rolled back to the Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41.
The previous NROL-52 mission launch delays on Oct. 5 and 6 were weather-related, with high winds being a contributing factor to at least one of those scrubs. Weather for the third attempt was expected to be much better with a 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions at the 3:59 a.m. EDT (07:59 GMT) opening of the launch window. However, at about 1 a.m. EDT (05:00 GMT), the scrub was called.
ULA issued the following statement:
The launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V carrying the NROL-52 mission was scrubbed today due to an issue with a telemetry transmitter on the launch vehicle. The team will replace and retest the hardware on the launch vehicle in the Vertical Integration Facility prior to another launch attempt. A new launch date will be released when it’s established.
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.
OMG. A third scrub! Oh NO. Whatever will we do without whatever it is secret thing that is on top of this rocket? The tons of spy hardware that is already up there is clearly helping us so much that more of it can only make us more safer.
So what if what we are defending is decaying public schools and crumbling roads and bridges. NROL should always have a secret blank check. Let us pray that the fourth time is the charm.