The launch of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) heavy space launch vehicle carrying a spy satellite for the US Defense Department’s NROL-68 space reconnaissance program was postponed due to a technical fault. The launch was scheduled to take place on Wednesday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, but was called off due to an issue with a ground systems pneumatic valve. The launch has been rescheduled for Thursday at 3:25 a.m. EDT. The Delta IV Heavy rocket is expected to deliver the satellite into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office. ULA is expected to replace its 20-year-old launch work-horse with its next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket in the coming months. However, the new rocket is still undergoing flight readiness testing and the company was forced to call off the first-ever launch pad engine test late last month due to a technical fault with the booster. The weather for Thursday’s launch window is forecast to be similar to Wednesday but slightly more favorable for a launch with an 80% chance of “go” conditions albeit with some potential for storms and wind gusts that could cause a delay.
