spacetoday.net: Glitches delay Titan 4 launch

Posted: Sun, Apr 6, 2003, 9:24 PM ET (0124 GMT)
Titan 4B launch (Lockheed Martin file photo)

A series of launch vehicle and range issues forced the Air Force to delay Sunday's launch of a Titan 4 booster carrying a Milstar communications satellite. The Titan 4B was scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral at 9:51 am EDT (1351 GMT) at the beginning of a four-hour launch window. However, the launch was first delayed by problems with the range safety system on the Centaur upper stage, then delayed again when an aircraft flew into restricted airspace around the launch site. The countdown resumed only to be stopped less than 90 seconds before liftoff because of problems with ground-based range systems. A final launch attempt near the end of the launch window was stopped less than two minutes before the scheduled liftoff because of low battery readings on the Centaur. The launch has been rescheduled for Tuesday at 9:43 am EDT (1343 GMT), again with a four-hour launch window. The Titan is carrying the sixth and last Milstar communications satellite.