Title: United Launch Alliance Scrubs Delta 4-Heavy Rocket Launch Due to Ground Systems Issue
Subtitle: Second-to-Last Flight of Delta Rocket Delayed for 24 Hours
Date: June 21, 2023
Cape Canaveral, Florida – The launch of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta 4-Heavy rocket carrying a classified spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has been postponed due to a problem with a ground systems pneumatics valve. The mission, codenamed NROL-68, was scheduled to take place from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The launch attempt has been rescheduled for 3:25 a.m. EDT (0725 UTC) on Thursday, with a launch window of approximately four hours. Weather forecasters predict an 80% chance of favorable conditions for liftoff, with the main concerns being cloud cover, residual lightning risk, and gusty ground winds.
The Delta 4-Heavy rocket, standing at 235 feet tall, will carry a classified payload for the NRO. While the NRO does not disclose specific details about its satellites, experts believe that the Delta 4 rocket will deploy a large spacecraft designed to intercept communications by U.S. adversaries, such as telephone calls and data transmissions.
The launch trajectory and the use of the Delta 4-Heavy rocket suggest that the mission will deploy an “Advanced Orion” or “Mentor” spy spacecraft. These satellites fly in geosynchronous orbit, circling the Earth at an altitude of over 22,000 miles and providing continuous coverage over specific areas.
The launch countdown will be overseen by ULA’s launch team at the Delta Operations Center. The Delta 4-Heavy rocket will be fueled with super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen before liftoff. It will be powered by three RS-68A engines supplied by Aerojet Rocketdyne, generating a total thrust of 2.1 million pounds.
Approximately six hours after liftoff, the NRO spy satellite will be deployed into a nearly circular geosynchronous orbit positioned over 20,000 miles above the Earth’s surface. The mission will then enter a government-imposed news blackout, and the rest of the satellite’s journey will remain classified.
This launch marks the second-to-last flight of the Delta rocket family, as ULA is retiring the Delta rockets in favor of the new-generation Vulcan launch vehicle. The Vulcan rocket is scheduled to make its first test flight later this year and will replace both the Atlas 5 and Delta 4 rockets.
ULA has procured spare parts to address any faulty components on the final two Delta 4 rockets, ensuring their successful launches. The last flight of the Delta 4-Heavy rocket is scheduled for early 2024 on another NRO mission, marking the retirement of the Delta rocket family.
Follow the live coverage of the Delta 4-Heavy rocket launch on Space.com or via ULA’s official channels. For more updates, follow us on Twitter.the launch due to technical issues. The launch, which was scheduled to take place from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, was supposed to be broadcasted live on YouTube.
The United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket was carrying a classified spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The NRO is responsible for developing and operating reconnaissance satellites for the United States government. The specific details and purpose of the spy satellite are classified, as is often the case with such missions.
Unfortunately, the launch was postponed due to technical issues. The exact nature of the technical problem was not disclosed in the search results. It is common for rocket launches to be delayed or scrubbed due to various technical issues to ensure the safety and success of the mission.
For those interested in following updates on the launch, the article suggests following the Twitter account of the organization or entity providing the live coverage. However, the specific Twitter account to follow was not mentioned in the search results.
Overall, the article highlights the upcoming launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket carrying a classified spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office. It mentions that the launch was scheduled to be broadcasted live on YouTube but was postponed due to technical issues.
nrol-68 payload
Ce both the Delta 4 and Atlas 5 rockets in ULA’s lineup.
The Delta 4-Heavy rocket has a long history of successful launches, with its first flight taking place in 2004. It is known for its heavy-lift capability, being able to carry payloads weighing up to 62,540 pounds to low Earth orbit.
Unfortunately, the latest launch of the Delta 4-Heavy rocket has encountered a setback. Due to a problem with a ground systems pneumatics valve, the launch of the NROL-68 mission has been postponed. The new launch date is set for Thursday, June 22, at 3:25 a.m. EDT. The delay is necessary to ensure the issue with the ground system is resolved before proceeding with the launch.
Weather conditions for the rescheduled launch are favorable, with an 80% chance of favorable conditions predicted. The main concerns are cloud cover, residual lightning risk, and gusty ground winds.
The NROL-68 mission is classified, and specific details about the satellite payload have not been disclosed by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). However, experts speculate that the Delta 4-Heavy rocket will deploy a large spy spacecraft designed for intercepting communications by U.S. adversaries.
The mission trajectory and the use of the Delta 4-Heavy rocket suggest that an “Advanced Orion” or “Mentor” spy spacecraft will be deployed. These satellites operate in geosynchronous orbit, providing continuous coverage over specific areas of interest.
During the launch countdown, ULA’s launch team at the Delta Operations Center will oversee the preparations. The rocket will be fueled with super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen before liftoff, and it will be powered by three RS-68A engines supplied by Aerojet Rocketdyne, generating a total thrust of 2.1 million pounds.
Approximately six hours after liftoff, the NRO spy satellite will be deployed into a nearly circular geosynchronous orbit positioned over 20,000 miles above the Earth’s surface. Following the deployment, a government-imposed news blackout will be in effect, and the details of the satellite’s mission will remain classified.
This launch is significant as it marks the second-to-last flight of the Delta rocket family. ULA is retiring the Delta rockets in favor of its new-generation Vulcan launch vehicle, which is set to have its first test flight later this year. The Vulcan rocket will replace both the Delta 4 and Atlas 5 rockets in ULA’s fleet, offering increased efficiency and performance capabilities.
