The countdown for NASA’s launch of NOAA-N aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California was terminated at 2 a.m. PDT today.
One of four water deluge system pumps located in the pump house at Space Launch Complex 2 failed. There was not enough time remaining in the countdown to restore facility power and retest the total system. The water deluge system is used during launch for pad cooling and sound suppression.
A 24-hour postponement is planned. Launch has been tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, May 14, at 3:22 a.m. PDT at the opening of a 10-minute launch window.
Launch coverage on NASA Television will begin at 1 a.m. PDT. NOAA-N is a joint mission with NASA.
NOAA-N is the latest polar-orbiting satellite developed by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA-N will collect information about Earth’s atmosphere and environment to improve weather prediction and climate research across the globe.
