Boeing Delta II Launch of NASA’s ICESat/CHIPSat Postponed

The Dec. 19 launch of NASA’s ICESat and CHIPSat
satellites aboard a Boeing [NYSE: BA] Delta II 7320-10 rocket from
Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., has been postponed due to a launch
vehicle hardware issue discovered during a pre-launch test.

Launch officials identified an ordnance box on the second stage did not
operate properly during testing. The unit will be replaced and re-tested.

The Delta team is targeting Jan. 8, 2003 for the rescheduled launch date.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Integrated Defense Systems is one of the
world’s largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis,
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $23 billion business. It provides
systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial
customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance; the world’s largest military aircraft manufacturer; the
world’s largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based
communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense;
NASA’s largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.