ULA Reschedules ViaSat-3 Flight 2 Launch for Thursday
CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — United Launch Alliance (ULA) postponed its Wednesday night attempt to launch the Atlas V rocket carrying the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 communications satellite. The company confirmed the next launch opportunity is scheduled for Thursday.
Launch Attempt Details
The 205-foot Atlas V 551 rocket was set to lift off from Space Launch Complex 41 at 10:24 p.m. ET, within a 44-minute launch window closing at 11:08 p.m. The launch was halted about ten minutes before liftoff due to a technical issue.
"The launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V carrying the ViaSat-3 F2 mission for @viasat is scrubbed for tonight's launch attempt due to an issue encountered while cycling the booster liquid oxygen tank vent valve during final checkouts. The team will require additional time..."
Technical Issue and Response
According to ULA, crews identified a problem while checking the booster’s liquid oxygen tank vent valve during final procedures. The process triggered an unplanned hold, and the mission was officially scrubbed around 10:50 p.m.
Next Launch Window
ULA stated that the next attempt will be made Thursday night, with a 44-minute launch window beginning at 10:16 p.m. ET. The mission will again use the Atlas V 551 configuration from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral.
Author’s Summary: ULA delayed its Atlas V launch carrying ViaSat-3 F2 after a vent valve issue, rescheduling the mission for Thursday night from Cape Canaveral.