Rocket test launch scheduled Saturday at Wallops Island

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Last edited Fri Apr 19, 2013, 03:03 PM - Edit history (1)

(changed title to keep up with the newest estimate)

5:00 p.m.

Rocket test launch scheduled today at Wallops Island

The Associated Press
© April 17, 2013
ACCOMACK COUNTY

NASA has given the OK for a private company to proceed today with a test launch of a rocket that will eventually help carry cargo to the International Space Station.

Orbital Sciences Corp. plans to launch its Antares rocket from Wallops Island at 5 p.m. The largest rocket to ever to take off from the Wallops Flight Facility could be visible during the evening rush hour in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York.

But NASA said Tuesday there's only a 45 percent chance weather conditions will allow the rocket to launch. Orbital will try again Thursday if the weather doesn't cooperate.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. Rocket test launch scheduled Saturday at Wallops Island

Weather pushes Wallops rocket relaunch to Saturday

It's not a relaunch if it wasn't launched in the first place.

By Mike Connors
The Virginian-Pilot
© April 18, 2013
WALLOPS ISLAND

A test launch of an unmanned rocket from Wallops Flight Facility has been tentatively rescheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday.

The launch originally was scheduled for Wednesday evening, but Orbital Sciences Corporation, a private company contracted by NASA that is handling the launch, postponed it a few minutes before 5 p.m. Today, a Wallops press release confirmed a separation of a launch pad chord {sic} used for data communications to the Antares rocket halted Wednesday’s launch.
....

The relaunch initially had been scheduled for Friday evening, but was pushed back because of a forecast for bad weather. Saturday's forecast calls for an 85 percent chance of favorable conditions, the release said. If weather intrudes again, though, Sunday is an available date.

NASA Television will begin live coverage of Saturday’s launch attempt beginning at 4:30 p.m.