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

Boeing and NASA
officials scrubbed today’s launch of NASA’s ICESat and CHIPSat satellites
aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket from Space Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg Air
Force Base, Calif.

The launch was scheduled for liftoff at 4:45 p.m. PST.

The decision to scrub today’s launch was the result of an issue involving
the helium pressurization system of the ground support equipment. The issue
does not involve the launch vehicle or the spacecrafts.

If the issue can be resolved within the next 24 hours, Boeing and NASA
will attempt to launch again tomorrow, with the 45-minute launch window
opening at 4:45 p.m. PST.

A Delta II 7320-10 rocket is scheduled to deploy ICESat (Ice, Cloud and
land Elevation Satellite) and CHIPSat (Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma
Spectrometer Satellite) to circular polar orbits for NASA.

For updated information, call the Boeing Launch Hotline at (714) 896-4770.

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.