ULA Pushes Communications Satellite Launch to Thursday
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) postponed its attempt to launch an Atlas V rocket carrying the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 communications satellite on Wednesday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The new targeted launch window begins at 10:16 p.m. on Thursday.
Launch Details
The mission will lift off from Space Launch Complex-41 aboard the 205-foot-tall Atlas V 551 rocket. According to ULA, this configuration is one of the most powerful variants of the Atlas V series.
“ULA Launch Director James Whelan has announced that we will not continue with countdown operations today,”
“Launch Conductor Ed Kitta has started leading his team through activities to safe the Atlas V rocket and Space Launch Complex-41 facilities following this scrub declaration.”
Recovery and Comparisons
Unlike SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 rocket that lands on droneships or designated landing zones, the Atlas V’s first-stage booster will separate and fall into the Atlantic Ocean, where it will later be recovered.
Other Launch Activity
While ULA postponed its mission, SpaceX completed the Starlink 6-81 launch on Wednesday night, successfully sending another batch of satellites into orbit.
Satellite Mission
The ViaSat-3 Flight 2 broadband communications satellite, built by California-based ViaSat, is destined for geostationary orbit. The company stated it will take several months for the satellite to reach its final orbital position.
Author's Summary
ULA delayed its Atlas V launch with ViaSat-3 Flight 2 to Thursday night due to operational issues, as SpaceX completed a parallel Starlink mission successfully.