Atlas Valve Booster Causes Scrub of ViaSat-3 F2 Launch
United Launch Alliance (ULA) postponed the launch of an Atlas 5 rocket on Wednesday night because of a valve issue that could not be resolved during the launch window. The rocket was set to carry a communications satellite for the California-based company Viasat.
“An issue encountered while cycling the booster liquid oxygen tank valve during final checkouts” forced the team to delay the launch and reschedule for the following day.
Launch Details and Schedule
- Liftoff was planned from Space Launch Complex 41 at 10:16 p.m. EST (0316 UTC) within a 44-minute window.
- The rocket was to travel due east from Florida’s Space Coast.
- The 6-metric-ton satellite would be placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, deploying approximately 3.5 hours after liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Weather Forecast
The 45th Weather Squadron predicted a 95% chance of favorable conditions, with a slight risk of interference from cumulus clouds. Meteorologists noted:
“High pressure will bring fair weather to the Space Coast on both the primary and backup days. For the primary window, a ridge axis over Central Florida will develop light, onshore winds and partly cloudy skies.”
Rocket Configuration
ULA is utilizing an Atlas 5 rocket in its 551 configuration for this mission.
Summary: A valve issue in the booster’s liquid oxygen tank forced ULA to postpone the Atlas 5 launch of Viasat-3 F2, with a rescheduled launch planned under favorable weather conditions.
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