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SpaceX canceled the planned launch of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a classified spy satellite for the US National Reconnaissance Office due to high pressure in the second stage thruster.
The launch, dubbed NROL-108, was scheduled to launch from platform 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida during a three-hour launch window that opened at 9 a.m. EST (1400 GMT) today (December 17). ). The next launch attempt could happen on Friday (December 18).
A temporary concern about the weather delayed launch by 45 minutes, then SpaceX staff requested a 1 minute 53 second wait before liftoff. The launch team attempted to prepare the rocket for a second attempt during today’s window, but decided it was not feasible.
“During the countdown, the pressure was slightly high in the upper stage liquid oxygen tank, causing the miscarriage,” said Andy Tran, SpaceX production supervisor, who provided comment for the launch, during the broadcast on alive.
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“Please note that the purpose of the countdown is to help us detect these potential problems ahead of the flight – the vehicle and payload are in good shape,” Tran said after the delay was called but before SpaceX removed launch of the day. “This is the nature of the launch business.”
More than an hour passed after waiting was called for SpaceX and the rest of the mission support to decide not to attempt a launch today in the remainder of the launch window, which lasted until 12 p.m. EST (1700 GMT). .
“There are a thousand ways a pitch can go wrong and only one can go right,” Tran said after the team decided to pull out of the pitch attempt. “It just wasn’t in our cards today.”
With today’s launch removed, a backup flight window will open at 9am EST (1400 GMT) on Friday (December 18) and last for three hours.
“We have a good chance tomorrow to get this NROL-108 satellite into orbit,” Tran said.
Email Meghan Bartels at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @meghanbartels. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
