DART launch postponed again
Posted: Thu, Oct 28, 2004, 1:50 PM ET (1750 GMT)
The launch of a NASA technology demonstration satellite has been postponed until at least the middle of next week because of contamination found in its launch vehicle. The Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) spacecraft was scheduled to launch late Thursday morning on a Pegasus XL vehicle off the coast from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. However, during launch vehicle closeout processing Wednesday night technicians discovered flakes of aluminum foil from the Pegasus payload fairing. The launch is now scheduled for no earlier than November 4 to give crews enough time to determine and fix the problem. The launch was scheduled for Tuesday but delayed by a combination of inclement weather and technical glitches. DART is scheduled to perform an automated approach and rendezvous with an existing small satellite, MUBLCOM, demonstrating technology that could be used on future missions.
The launch of a NASA technology demonstration satellite has been postponed until at least the middle of next week because of contamination found in its launch vehicle. The Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) spacecraft was scheduled to launch late Thursday morning on a Pegasus XL vehicle off the coast from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. However, during launch vehicle closeout processing Wednesday night technicians discovered flakes of aluminum foil from the Pegasus payload fairing. The launch is now scheduled for no earlier than November 4 to give crews enough time to determine and fix the problem. The launch was scheduled for Tuesday but delayed by a combination of inclement weather and technical glitches. DART is scheduled to perform an automated approach and rendezvous with an existing small satellite, MUBLCOM, demonstrating technology that could be used on future missions.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Pentagon places head of Space Development Agency on leave for investigation
Posted: Sun, Jan 19 10:25 AM ET (1525 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, January 24
Firefly’s Blue Ghost Spacecraft Begins Journey to Moon, Supported by Rocket Lab Software and Components
Business Wire — 6:12 am ET (1112 GMT) How to make oxygen on the moon
BBC — 6:11 am ET (1111 GMT) Tuberville predicts ‘very happy ending’ to Space Command HQ dispute
Huntsville Times — 6:11 am ET (1111 GMT) GPS III SV-07 Receives Operational Acceptance
Inside GNSS — 6:10 am ET (1110 GMT) Buckley Space Force Base grows in impact, contributions reach $2.6 billion
Aurora (CO) Sentinel — 6:10 am ET (1110 GMT) |
