A Boeing technician works on a GPS IIF satellites moving through the “pulse line” at the company’s Satellite Development Center in El Segundo, California. Boeing photo (UPDATED May 25) The next launch attempt of the first GPS IIF space vehicle (SV1) has been tentatively set at Cape Canaveral for Thursday, May 27, when the launch window will be 11-11:19 p.m. EDT.
Originally scheduled for May 20, the launch was delayed several times. The fourth launch attempt was scrubbed Sunday night.
(UPDATED May 25) The next launch attempt of the first GPS IIF space vehicle (SV1) has been tentatively set at Cape Canaveral for Thursday, May 27, when the launch window will be 11-11:19 p.m. EDT.
Originally scheduled for May 20, the launch was delayed several times. The fourth launch attempt was scrubbed Sunday night.
According to a United Launch Alliance (ULA) announcement, during the final seconds of the launch countdown, "an anomalous data signature with the thrust vector control system" on one of the two solid rocket motors mounted to the Delta IV booster was detected. The thrust vector control system is used to steer the solid rocket motors during flight.
The data signature triggered an automatic abort in the launch countdown. Mission managers are currently studying the situation to determine a corrective action plan.
The launch can be viewed via Webcast at:
http://www.ulalaunch.com.
