NASA’s Space Technology 5 spacecraft (ST5) launch was aborted today. A locking pin in the Orbital Science’s Pegasus XL rocket’s flight control service mechanism did not retract just prior to launch. Orbital Sciences and NASA engineers will diagnose and correct the problem.

A new launch date will be established pending resolution of the issue, the availability of the Western Range, and acceptable weather conditions at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. launch site. The delay will be at least 48 hours.

For information about the ST5 mission and NASA’s New Millennium Program visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/st5

For information about NASA and agency programs on the Web, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/home