Atlas 5 Launch Scrubbed Due to Technical Issues
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United Launch Alliance has scrubbed the launch of the ViaSat-3 F2 satellite for the second consecutive night due to persistent technical issues with the Atlas 5 rocket's liquid oxygen vent valve. The launch was slated to occur from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 10:16 p.m.
EST, but just over an hour before the window opened, ULA announced they would forego the attempt. Launch Director James Whelan had initially called off the launch on Wednesday night when the vent valve failed to operate correctly during pre-launch checkouts.
The issue with the vent valve on the Atlas 5's first stage liquid oxygen tank persisted into the following day, prompting a second scrub. The Atlas 5's countdown had begun earlier in the day, with liquid oxygen loading procedures underway when the decision was made to halt the launch attempt.
According to the report by Spaceflight Now, the team at ULA will evaluate the hardware before announcing a new launch date. Furthermore, weather conditions added another layer of complexity, as the launch weather officer downgraded the outlook for launch, indicating only a fifty percent chance of favorable conditions due to thick clouds and rain showers in the area.
Nestled within the rocket's payload fairing is the six-metric-ton ViaSat-3 F2 satellite, manufactured by Boeing. This satellite is the second in the ViaSat-3 series, following the launch of the first satellite, ViaSat-3 F1, by SpaceX earlier this year.
The first satellite encountered an issue with its antenna, leading to service delays and reduced capacity. The new ViaSat-3 F2 satellite is expected to significantly enhance Viasat's Ka-band network capabilities, adding over one terabit per second of capacity across the Americas.
Once operational, the satellite is expected to enter service in early 2026 after undergoing extensive on-orbit testing at its designated location in geostationary orbit. The Atlas 5 rocket's Centaur upper stage is designed to fire three times during the mission, ensuring that the satellite reaches its geostationary transfer orbit efficiently.
The challenges faced by ULA in this instance highlight the complexities of space missions and reinforce the importance of stringent safety protocols in aerospace operations.