Agency May Try Again Friday

NASA hopes the third time will be the charm for the launch of its NOAA-N Prime polar-orbiting weather satellite.

The first targeted launch attempt Wednesday was scrubbed, when a launch pad gaseous nitrogen pressurization system failed. This system maintains pressurization and purges to various systems of the Delta II rocket prior to launch.

Engineers commenced "immediate" repairs to that system, in hopes of launching the satellite Thursday... but then a pad-mounted air conditioning compressor, which supplies cold, dry air under the payload fairing surrounding the sensitive satellite, also failed.  

The next launch attempt from Vandenberg AFB is targeted for Friday morning at 2:22 am PST. NASA personnel are expected to meet later in the day Thursday to finalize those plans. There is some concern the failure of the compressor allowed an unacceptable level of hydrocarbons into the spacecraft environment.

NASA says the Lockheed Martin-built NOAA-N Prime satellite will improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world. NOAA-N Prime is the fifth and last in the current series of five polar-orbiting satellites with improved imaging and sounding capabilities.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/noaa-n-prime