spacetoday.net: Delta 2 SMAP launch postponed to Saturday

Posted: Fri, Jan 30, 2015, 7:19 AM ET (1219 GMT)
Delta 2 before SMAP launch (NASA)

After a one-day delay due to weather, NASA and United Launch Alliance have delayed the Delta 2 launch of an Earth sciences satellite an additional day, to Saturday, to make minor repairs to the rocket. After strong upper-level winds scrubbed a launch attempt Thursday, technicians inspecting the Delta 2 7320 rocket noticed minor "debonds" of insulation on the booster that require repairs. The launch, which was previously rescheduled for Friday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, is now planned for Saturday at 9:20 am EST. The Delta 2 is carrying the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) spacecraft, designed to provide global measurements of soil measure for weather, climate, and related Earth science applications.