CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., June 26, 2004 — The launch of an
Atlas IIAS vehicle with a national security payload was postponed today
because of a concern over launch vehicle avionics. Atlas engineers are
conducting additional tests to confirm that avionics on the rocket are free
from an anomaly discovered on another unit in the factory.
International Launch Services, rocket builder Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Air
Force, and the customer, the National Reconnaissance Office, are working
together on a closure plan for this concern and it is expected that in
approximately one week a new launch date will be established.
For updated status, please check the ILS website, www.ilslaunch.com, or the
ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980.
