Atlas Booster Valve Issue Cancels ViaSat-3 F2 Launch
United Launch Alliance (ULA) aborted the planned Wednesday night launch of an Atlas V rocket due to a valve problem that could not be fixed within the launch window. The mission was set to deliver a communications satellite for California-based company Viasat.
Valve Issue During Final Checkouts
ULA reported that during final preparations, the team encountered an issue cycling the booster liquid oxygen tank valve, which forced a delay of the launch to the following day.
“An issue encountered while cycling the booster liquid oxygen tank valve during final checkouts forced us to stand down from the launch attempt and target a day later.”
Launch Details
- Launch site: Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Scheduled liftoff: 10:16 p.m. EST (0316 UTC)
- Duration of launch window: 44 minutes
- Flight path: Due east from Florida’s Space Coast
- Payload: 6-metric-ton communications satellite
- Orbit: Geosynchronous transfer orbit, satellite deployment ~3.5 hours post-liftoff
Weather Forecast
On Tuesday, the 45th Weather Squadron predicted a 95% chance of good weather for the launch window, noting only a slight risk of disruptions from cumulus clouds.
“High pressure will bring fair weather to the Space Coast on both the primary and backup days,” the launch weather officers wrote. “For the primary window, a ridge axis over Central Florida will develop light, onshore winds and partly cloudy skies.”
Rocket Configuration
ULA is using an Atlas V rocket in the 551 configuration for this mission, which features five solid rocket boosters, a 5-meter payload fairing, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.
Summary: A valve issue in the booster’s liquid oxygen tank during final checks led ULA to postpone the Atlas V launch of Viasat’s communications satellite, with a new attempt planned for the next day under favorable weather conditions.