Atlas booster valve issue delays ViaSat-3 F2 launch
United Launch Alliance (ULA) postponed Wednesday night's launch of an Atlas 5 rocket because of a valve problem that couldn’t be fixed within the scheduled window. The rocket was set to carry a Viasat communications satellite from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
“An issue encountered while cycling the booster liquid oxygen tank valve during final checkouts” forced the team to stand down from the launch attempt and move the target by a day.
Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 41 is rescheduled for 10:16 p.m. EST (0316 UTC). This opens a 44-minute launch window as the vehicle heads east from Florida’s Space Coast. The 6-metric-ton satellite will be placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, deploying approximately 3.5 hours after launch.
Weather and mission outlook
The 45th Weather Squadron predicted a 95% chance of favorable weather for the primary launch window, with only a slight chance of cumulus cloud interference.
“High pressure will bring fair weather to the Space Coast on both the primary and backup days,” launch weather officers wrote. “For the primary window, a ridge axis over Central Florida will develop light, onshore winds and partly cloudy skies.”
Spaceflight Now confirmed that live coverage will begin about one hour before liftoff. The Atlas 5 will fly in the 551 configuration, which features a five-meter payload fairing and five solid rocket boosters.
Author’s Summary
The Atlas 5 launch of the ViaSat-3 F2 satellite was delayed due to a booster valve issue, with ULA targeting a 24-hour turnaround and favorable weather expected for the next attempt.