spacetoday.net: Orion launch scrubbed

Posted: Thu, Dec 4, 2014, 2:58 PM ET (1958 GMT)
Delta 4 Heavy on pad for Orion EFT-1 launch (J. Foust)

Gusty winds and a valve problem conspired to delay the launch of NASA's Orion spacecraft on its first test flight Thursday. The Delta 4 Heavy rocket was schedule to lift off from Cape Canaveral at 7:05 am EST (1205 GMT) and place an uncrewed Orion spacecraft into orbit for a brief test flight. However, winds that exceeded launch limits halted two countdown attempts in the first hour of a two-and-a-half-hour launch window. After winds subsided, a third countdown was halted a little more three minutes before liftoff when liquid hydrogen valves in two of the rocket's booster cores failed to close as planned. Officials said the valves may have frozen during the extended hold, and believe the problem can be corrected in time to make another launch attempt Friday at the same time. Weather is forecast to be less favorable on Friday, with only a 40% chance of acceptable conditions. Orion is scheduled to make two orbits of the Earth on the four-and-a-half-hour flight, testing its heat shield, electronics, and other components.