CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Another day, another delay for the inaugural launch of Lockheed Martins grounded Atlas 3 rocket.
Dont look for the company to make its fifth attempt to launch the new rocket until Wednesday. The reason: Technicians still are troubleshooting problems with a troublesome fuel valve and wrapping up other rocket and spacecraft checkout work. Launch crews also havent had a day off in a week or more.
"We probably could have pushed it and made an attempt Tuesday, but we didnt want to take the chance," said Lockheed Martin spokeswoman Linda Shahan. "When you weigh all the issues together, it was just better to wait until Wednesday."
The 17-story rocket and its cargo a TV-broadcast and internet-services satellite now are tentatively scheduled to blast off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station between 5:39 p.m. and 7:58 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (21:39 to 23:58 GMT) Wednesday.
SPACE.com will carry a live broadcast of the countdown and launch beginning at 5 p.m. EDT (21:00 GMT) that day.
The weather forecast for the launch attempt, meanwhile, is favorable.
Meteorologists say there is an 80-percent chance that conditions will be acceptable for launch. The only concern: A slight chance of rain showers, thunderstorms or thick electrically charged clouds in the area.
Considered key to Lockheed Martins future in the commercial space launch industry, the Atlas 3 is the first American launcher to be powered by a Russian engine.
The payload for its first flight: A 3.5-ton satellite that will beam digital television and high-speed internet services to customers in Russia and sub-Saharan Africa.
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