ULA Postpones ViaSat-3 Flight 2 Launch to Thursday
The ViaSat-3 Flight 2 mission, scheduled to launch on an Atlas V 551 rocket, experienced a delay. The launch, originally planned for Wednesday night, was postponed to Thursday due to a technical issue detected during final preparations.
Launch Details and Delay
The mission is set to take off from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch window on Thursday will open at 10:16 p.m. ET and last for 44 minutes.
The rocket stands 205 feet (62.5 meters) tall and carries a ViaSat communications satellite.
Reason for Postponement
The launch was scrubbed due to an issue encountered while "cycling the booster liquid oxygen tank vent valve during final checkouts," which occurred about 10 minutes before the originally planned 10:24 p.m. lift-off.
Following the problem, the launch entered an unplanned hold and was officially canceled around 10:50 p.m. ET.
ULA Statement
"The team will require additional time to address the issue," United Launch Alliance said regarding the scrubbed launch attempt.
About the Launch Window
A launch window defines the specific timeframe when the rocket must lift off. For Wednesday night, this window was from 10:24 p.m. to 11:08 p.m. ET.
Upcoming Launch Plan
If all issues are resolved, the Atlas V 551 rocket will attempt lift-off on Thursday within the set launch window.
Author's summary: United Launch Alliance postponed the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 launch due to a valve issue, setting a new launch window on Thursday night to ensure mission readiness.