A problemwith the range safety system that protects the people and property from anout-of-control rocket mishap has forced the cancellation of today's Atlas Vlaunch.
The launchand range safety teams worked into the final minutes of the window trying toget the system cleared for flight, but could not do so.
About 11:40a.m., the mission director decided to scrub the launch. A new liftoff time willbe set for Friday morning. It should be 11:04 a.m.
The Atlas Vis carrying a pair of spy satellites for the NRO. The weather forecast for aFriday launch attempt calls for an 80 percent chance of acceptable conditions.
While thegovernment and its contractors will not discuss the payload, the trade magazineAviation Week & Space Technology reports that the craft are intended totrack ships moving at sea, including those that might hint at terroristactivities or Chinese or Iranian naval tactics.
The payloadfairing atop the rocket sports a logo featuring a tall sailing ship.
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