ULA statement: “Early indications were with the ground system, and we are working to confirm the exact cause.”
WASHINGTON – The United Launch Alliance has yet to confirm exactly why the Delta 4 heavy launch closed dramatically just three seconds before the lift on Aug. 29.
“We are in the midst of conducting a full investigation to determine the root cause of the NROL-44 on-paid abortion,” URA spokeswoman Julie Arnold said in a statement. SpaceNews.
Carrying a National Reconnaissance Office fee classified spy satellite, the rocket landed on the space launch complex – 37 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Morning: 28: 2: 28 During the ignition sequence before the lift off, three engines of the rocket caught fire. Arnold said only the Starboard engine was started and the system cut off the ignition of the other engine as intended.
“Early signs were with the ground system, and we’re working to confirm the exact cause,” Arnold said. “The system left at T-minus 3 seconds because the initial conditions did not match to move forward with the core engine startup.”
Within five seconds after the lift off, the ULA needs at least seven days to replace the expanded ground system hardware and validate the flight system, Arnold said.
The company will need more time to complete the investigation, Arnold said before setting a new target launch date for NRL-44.
“We will take our time to do a thorough review of the Delta 4 Heavy to identify, repair and review the system. Once that is done, we’ll know the date of the new launch, “said Arnold.
