NOAA-N Prime Launch Rescheduled for Friday

The launch of the NOAA-N Prime weather satellite for NASA and NOAA aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket has been postponed for an additional 24 hours.

A payload fairing air conditioning compressor at the launch pad has failed. This unit provides cool, dry air inside the fairing prior to launch.

Though unlikely, the payload team needs additional time to be assured that an unacceptable level of hydrocarbons have not been introduced into the spacecraft environment within the fairing.

Launch management will meet at midday on Thursday to review launch readiness for an attempt on Friday, Feb. 6 at 2:22 a.m. PST (5:22 a.m. EST).