Antares launch postponed to Sep. 18

From Orbital Sciences:

Following a launch review meeting held earlier this morning, Orbital’s Antares team has decided to postpone the launch of the COTS Demonstration mission from Wallops Island, VA by at least 24 hours. 

The combination of yesterday’s poor weather that delayed roll-out of the rocket to the launch pad and a technical issue that was identified during a combined systems test held last night involving communications between ground equipment and the rocket’s flight computer drove the decision to delay the launch.   

After comprehensive inspection and testing this morning, the problem was found and turned out to be an inoperative cable, which is being replaced.  Orbital will repeat the combined systems test later today.  Once that important test is successfully completed, the team will be able to proceed toward a September 18 launch. 

The launch window on September 18 is from 10:50 to 11:05 a.m. (EDT)