CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — United Launch Alliance’s launch of a set of satellites for the U.S. Space Force was scrubbed Monday.
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About an hour and half before Monday’s scheduled launch of its Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 1:35 p.m., a special team was dispatched to troubleshoot the liquid oxygen supply system.
Within 30 minutes of the team arriving and assessing the situation, launch director Steve Huff announced it will not continue with countdown operations Monday.
A special team is being dispatched to return to Space Launch Complex-41 for hands-on troubleshooting with the liquid oxygen supply system.
— ULA (@ulalaunch) May 17, 2021
ULA will attempt to launch in 24 hours, with Tuesday’s liftoff scheduled for 1:31 p.m.
According to a release, “Launch conductor Scott Barney will lead his team through activities to safe the Atlas V rocket and Space Launch Complex-41 facilities following this scrub declaration.”
The launch of a ULA #AtlasV carrying the #SBIRS GEO Flight 5 mission for the @SpaceForceDOD @USSF_SMC has been scrubbed. During Centaur liquid oxygen (LOX) chilldown operations, the team identified an anomalous system response that could not be resolved within the launch window.
— ULA (@ulalaunch) May 17, 2021
The Atlas V is carrying the Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (SBIRS GEO) Flight 5 mission for the U.S. Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC).
“We take our role in national security very seriously and pride ourselves in being partners in space with the U.S. Space Force. We are launching critical capabilities for the warfighter and understand the need for reliability and consistency,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “This mission marks our 91st launch in support of national security space. As we prepare to launch the fifth SBIRS mission, we thank our partners for their outstanding teamwork and collaboration.”
According to a news release, ULA has launched all SBIRS GEO satellites to date, and will launch this and the next satellite to complete the constellation.
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Built by Lockheed Martin, the SBIRS constellation is a network of satellites that contain equipment that supports missile defense and other systems that aid in national security.
This launch will be the 87th launch of the Atlas V rocket
When the launch happens, you can watch it live by clicking here or on Channel 9.
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