Posted: Fri, Aug 27, 2004, 9:31 PM ET (0131 GMT)
The final launch of an Atlas 2 rocket was delayed 24 hours late Friday because of a problem with the vehicle. The Atlas 2AS was scheduled to lift off Friday evening from Cape Canaveral to place a classified payload into orbit. The launch was scrubbed late Friday afternoon, though, because of a problem with batteries on the launch vehicle. The launch has been rescheduled for approximately 7 pm EDT (2300 GMT) Saturday, although forecasts call for only a small chance of acceptable weather at launch time. the rocket is carrying a satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office only known as NROL-1; no other information about the spacecraft has been released. The launch will be the final mission for the Atlas 2 family of boosters, which is being retired to make way for the more powerful Atlas 5.

Related Links:

•  Reuters article
•  Spaceflight Now launch status center