BY JUSTIN RAY
Follow the countdown and launch of the Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket with a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.
2019 GMT (4:19 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 105 minutes and holding. The countdown has gone into a scheduled 30-minute hold. Today's launch of the Atlas 2AS rocket remains set for 6:49 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
2014 GMT (4:14 p.m. EDT)
With the mobile service tower now retracted, the pad crew is going through the final checklist before the workers depart for launch.
2012 GMT (4:12 p.m. EDT)
There remains a 60 percent chance of violating the launch weather rules during today's launch opportunity that begins at 6:49 p.m. EDT. For now, all conditions are acceptable.
The forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms in the area, clouds scattered at 2,500 and 25,000 feet, visibility of 7 miles, winds from the southeast at 12 to 15 knots and a temperature of 84 degrees.
2000 GMT (4:00 p.m. EDT)
The weather continues to look terrific at Cape Canaveral for launch less than three hours away. There are some thunderstorms to the north over Daytona and cloudiness to the south. But so far conditions at the launch site area acceptable for liftoff.
1958 GMT (3:58 p.m. EDT)
The C-band systems used to track the rocket during flight are being tested now.
1955 GMT (3:55 p.m. EDT)
The mobile service tower is clear of the launch vehicle and continuing its full rollback.
1949 GMT (3:49 p.m. EDT)
Rollback of the mobile service tower has begun.
The service structure wraps around the rocket, providing access to all areas of the vehicle during its stay on the launch pad. In preparation for fueling and liftoff today, the tower will be moved a safe distance away to expose the fully assembled 156-foot tall rocket.
1944 GMT (3:44 p.m. EDT)
The navigation test on the rocket's Inertial Navigation Unit guidance computer has been completed. The INU final alignment is now underway.
1937 GMT (3:37 p.m. EDT)
The launch team and management have confirmed that all is in readiness to retract the mobile service tower as scheduled at 3:49 p.m. EDT. The tower will be rolled back to the launch position.
1934 GMT (3:34 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 150 minutes and counting. "Man stations for Integrated Launch Operations."
The entire launch team has been assembled once again to oversee the final three-and-a-quarter hours of the countdown for flight of the Lockheed Martin Atlas-Centaur rocket carrying a secret spacecraft for the National Reconnaissance Office -- the government agency responsible for the U.S. fleet of spy satellites.
There are two holds, lasting for a total of 45 minutes, built into the countdown at T-minus 105 minutes and T-minus 5 minutes. Liftoff is targeted for 6:49 p.m. EDT.
1914 GMT (3:14 p.m. EDT)
The launch team is 20 minutes away from reporting on station for the Integrated Launch Operations phase of the countdown. Skies over the launch site have cleared in the past hour. Fingers are crossed that conditions will be acceptable at launch time.
1855 GMT (2:55 p.m. EDT)
The holdfire checks are beginning. This safety feature would be used to stop countdown at the last moment.
1838 GMT (2:38 p.m. EDT)
No weather rules are being violated at this time, officials report.
1749 GMT (1:49 p.m. EDT)
The countdown is entering the final five hours to the targeted 6:49 p.m. EDT (2249 GMT) liftoff today. Cape Canaveral skies are somewhat overcast this afternoon as clouds stream onshore from the Atlantic Ocean. There is a 60 percent chance that weather will scrub today's launch attempt.
1657 GMT (12:57 p.m. EDT)
The flight control system operational test has just been completed. The guidance computer navigation test is beginning.
1630 GMT (12:30 p.m. EDT)
The rocket's flight control system has been powered up. And now an operational test of the system is beginning.
Also at this point in the countdown, the launch team has finished checks of the Centaur main engine ignitors. Routine checkout of the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellant systems in advance of re-fueling the rocket has begun.
1500 GMT (11:00 a.m. EDT)
Lockheed Martin has started the fifth consecutive countdown for its launch of the Atlas 2AS rocket carrying an NRO spacecraft. Liftoff is scheduled for 6:49 p.m. EDT (2249 GMT) today.
The past two attempts have been scrubbed due to bad weather. The forecast for today predicts a 60 percent chance that thunderstorms and anvil clouds will again pose a constraint at liftoff time.
Here is the outlook from the weather team:
"The high pressure ridge axis will begin a slow migration North toward Central Florida. Although surface winds will prevail from the West, a seabreeze should set in by mid day. Likewise, over the next 24 to 36 hours, the upper air pattern will be in gradual transition from Westerly flow to Easterly flow as the upper level ridge migrates North. This gradual trend will result in thunderstorm steering currents from favoring the East coast in the late afternoon hours to favoring the interior of the peninsula. There remains sufficient moisture for afternoon and evening thunderstorms. The gradual transition will keep the Cape at risk for late afternoon and evening thunderstorms."
MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2004
Try number 5 to launch the final Atlas 2AS rocket and a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office will be made Tuesday at Cape Canaveral. Liftoff is targeted for 6:49 p.m. EDT (2249 GMT).
Today's countdown was scrubbed by bad weather. The forecast for Tuesday calls for a 60 percent chance of conditions violating the launch weather rules.
"I think the team did an outstanding job again. We came up short with the weather," Lockheed Martin launch director Adrian Laffitte told his crew tonight.
"We just had a briefing for tomorrow. It appears the weather is transitioning and it is heading for a better direction for tomorrow. So we believe we'll have at least the same if not better weather. And we will give it one more shot for tomorrow," he said.
2300 GMT (7:00 p.m. EDT)
A line of strong thunderstorms rolling across Cape Canaveral forced today's attempt to launch the Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket with its classified national security satellite to be scrubbed.
"We are 'no go' for the day,'" Col. Chip Zakrzewski, director of the NRO's Office of Space Launch, announced to the launch team as a lightning warning was posted for the pad area.
"Roger," the Lockheed Martin launch conductor replied.
A fifth consecutive launch attempt is planned for Tuesday with liftoff around 6:49 p.m. EDT (2249 GMT). The exact launch time and the weather outlook have not been announced yet.
Meanwhile, officials are carefully monitoring the track of Hurricane Frances. The National Hurricane Center's latest forecast shows the powerful storm heading toward Cape Canaveral by the weekend.
2243 GMT (6:43 p.m. EDT)
NEW DATE. Another shot at launching this mission will be made tomorrow.
Technicians have begun to safe the Atlas rocket and drain its super-cold fuels following today's weather scrub.
2241 GMT (6:41 p.m. EDT)
SCRUB! Launch of the Atlas 2AS rocket has been scrubbed for today due to uncooperative weather conditions over Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
The launch team is awaiting word on when the next attempt will be made.
2239 GMT (6:39 p.m. EDT)
NEW LAUNCH TIME. Liftoff has been delayed to the end of today's available launch window at 7:21 p.m. EDT (2321 GMT) in hopes the weather will clear.
The mobile service tower must begin rolling back to the launch position by about 7 p.m. to support this new launch time -- assuming the weather somehow improves.
2234 GMT (6:34 p.m. EDT)
There are three launch weather rules being violated at this time for lightning, cumulus clouds and the field mills measuring electrical charge in the air.
Meanwhile, news media at the Press Site 1 location have been instructed to take cover as the lightning advisory area is extended around the Cape.
2233 GMT (6:33 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 5 minutes and holding. Clocks has entered the final planned hold in the countdown. The pause will last until the weather situation clears. But at this point meteorologists say there is a 90 percent chance that the stormy weather will violate the launch criteria during today's liftoff opportunity.
2232 GMT (6:32 p.m. EDT)
The field mills around the launch area that measure electrical charge in the air are registering readings that violate the triggered lightning rules.
2228 GMT (6:28 p.m. EDT)
The weather team has revised the launch time forecast. There is now a 90 percent chance that conditions will violate the launch rules.
2228 GMT (6:28 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 10 minutes and counting. Countdown clocks are ticking down to the T-minus 5 minute mark where a planned 15-minute hold will occur. That hold will be extended based on the weather situation.
Officials have not yet delayed the 6:53 p.m. EDT target launch time.
2223 GMT (6:23 p.m. EDT)
A wall of clouds to the northwest of the launch pad is threatening to thwart tonight's launch attempt. Rain, lightning and thunder is hitting Kennedy Space Center and slowly drifting toward the southern part of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where pad 36A is located.
2216 GMT (6:16 p.m. EDT)
The lightning and cumulus cloud rules remain "no go."
2214 GMT (6:14 p.m. EDT)
The upper stage liquid hydrogen tank has reached flight level. The Atlas and Centaur liquid oxygen tanks each reached flight level a little while ago.
2212 GMT (6:12 p.m. EDT)
The mobile service tower is now parked in the "tangent position" following its remote control drive. This location allows the tower to almost fully enclose the Atlas rocket.
2210 GMT (6:10 p.m. EDT)
A lightning warning advisory is in effect for Kennedy Space Center and the northern part of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It does not yet extend to the Atlas launch pad.
2208 GMT (6:08 p.m. EDT)
Weather is officially "no go" at this time. The lightning and cumulus cloud rules are now being violated.
2207 GMT (6:07 p.m. EDT)
The local radar is showing the area of rain associated with this incoming thunderstorm is growing.
2206 GMT (6:06 p.m. EDT)
An inhibited self test of the rocket's flight termination system is beginning. The FTS would be used to destroy the vehicle in the event of a malfunction during launch.
2204 GMT (6:04 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur hydrogen tank is now 97 percent full, heading to flight level.
2203 GMT (6:03 p.m. EDT)
The service tower is nearing the rocket. In order to launch today, the tower must begin retracting no later than 20 minutes before liftoff time. That means rollback would have to begin at 6:33 p.m. to preserve an on-time launch. But given the weather and mean-looking skies over Cape Canaveral, that seems unlikely as this point.
Officials have until 7:21 p.m. to launch the rocket tonight or else scrub for the day.
2202 GMT (6:02 p.m. EDT)
The Atlas liquid oxygen tank has reached the 98 percent level where it is being maintained. Topping to 100 percent will be completed shortly.
2155 GMT (5:55 p.m. EDT)
The mobile service tower is in motion as it heads back around the Atlas rocket to provide a weather shield.
2153 GMT (5:53 p.m. EDT)
Now 60 minutes from launch time. Stormy weather is closing in.
2151 GMT (5:51 p.m. EDT)
Fueling operations continue. The first stage liquid oxygen tank has reached the 70 percent mark and the Centaur liquid hydrogen tank is 30 percent full.
Topping of the Centaur liquid oxygen tank to flight level has been completed. But as the countdown proceeds, the tank will be replenished to replace the cryogenic liquid oxygen that naturally boils away.
2147 GMT (5:47 p.m. EDT)
Given the incoming weather, the mobile service tower will be rolled back around the rocket to provide protection from the wind and any lightning. The tower is driven via remote control, moving from its current position for launch to the "tangent position" at the rocket to shield the vehicle. Once the weather concern passes, the tower will be rolled back again for launch.
2145 GMT (5:45 p.m. EDT)
A storm is moving ever closer to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It is moving southeastward from the northern part of Kennedy Space Center.
2144 GMT (5:44 p.m. EDT)
The first stage liquid oxygen tank is 40 percent full.
2143 GMT (5:43 p.m. EDT)
With the liquid hydrogen system chilldown complete, officials have given the "go" to load the super-chilled fuel into the Centaur upper stage. The cryogenic propellant will be consumed with liquid oxygen by the stage's Pratt & Whitney-made RL10 engines to propel the NRO spacecraft into the targeted orbit tonight.
2137 GMT (5:37 p.m. EDT)
The first stage liquid oxygen tank is 10 percent full.
2133 GMT (5:33 p.m. EDT)
The final alignment of the Atlas rocket's inertial navigation guidance computer has been completed. The flight control system final preps have begun.
2131 GMT (5:31 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur liquid oxygen tank has reached the 95 percent full level where it is being maintained. Topping to 100 percent will be completed shortly.
2129 GMT (5:29 p.m. EDT)
The "go" has now been given to commence loading of the Atlas first stage liquid oxygen tank.
2126 GMT (5:26 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur liquid oxygen tank has reached the 80 percent mark. No problems have been reported during fueling today.
2123 GMT (5:23 p.m. EDT)
The chilldown conditioning of liquid hydrogen propellant lines at pad 36A is starting to prepare the plumbing for transferring the Minus-423 degree F fuel into the rocket.
Also at this time the door of the Complex 36 Blockhouse is being sealed, protecting the 120-member launch team. The blockhouse is located just 1,400 feet away from the Atlas 2AS rocket at pad 36A, and serves as the control center for the countdown to launch.
2123 GMT (5:23 p.m. EDT)
Now 90 minutes from launch. The Centaur liquid oxygen loading continues with the tank now 60 percent full.
Meteorologists are watching storms to west and north, hoping the rain and clouds remain outside a 10-mile zone around pad 36A.
2114 GMT (5:14 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur liquid oxygen tank is now 20 percent full.
2105 GMT (5:05 p.m. EDT)
Chilldown conditioning of the liquid oxygen transfer lines at pad 36A is complete. And the "go" has now been given to start filling the Centaur upper stage with its supply of super-cold cryogenic oxidizer.
The liquid oxygen -- chilled to Minus-298 degrees F -- will be consumed during the launch by the Centaur's twin RL10 engines along with liquid hydrogen to be pumped into the stage later in the countdown.
2059 GMT (4:59 p.m. EDT)
The safe-and-arm test of the flight termination system has been completed.
2054 GMT (4:54 p.m. EDT)
Safety officials have confirmed that the danger area around the launch pad is cleared of all personnel. This allows the "chilldown" procedure to start for thermal conditioning of the liquid oxygen fuel lines at pad 36A in advance of loading the Centaur upper stage.
Also at this time, the Centaur pneumatic bottle charging and the engine gaseous helium chilldown operations are starting.
2053 GMT (4:53 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 105 minutes and counting. The countdown has picked up after the planned 30-minute hold.
The count will continue to T-minus 5 minutes where a planned 15-minute built-in hold is scheduled. Launch of the Atlas 2AS rocket with the secret NRO cargo remains targeted for 6:53 p.m. EDT.
So far, storms to the west and north are keeping their distance from Cape Canaveral.
2049 GMT (4:49 p.m. EDT)
The Lockheed Martin launch conductor stationed inside the Complex 36 Blockhouse has performed his pre-fueling poll of the launch team. Launch director Adrian Laffitte then gave a "ready" status, followed by the NRO mission director. There were no constraints reported.
Cryogenic liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants will be pumped into the Atlas and Centaur stages beginning at 5:07 p.m.
The pad has been configured for launch and the final workers are clearing the hazard area.
2046 GMT (4:46 p.m. EDT)
A readiness poll for fueling the Atlas rocket is coming up in two minutes.
2038 GMT (4:38 p.m. EDT)
Now 15 minutes into this planned half-hour hold. Weather is still looking good right now.
2023 GMT (4:23 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 105 minutes and holding. The countdown has gone into a scheduled 30-minute hold. Today's launch of the Atlas 2AS rocket remains set for 6:53 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
2018 GMT (4:18 p.m. EDT)
With the mobile service tower now retracted, the pad crew is going through the final checklist before the workers depart for launch. Also, the flight hazard area roadblocks are being established at this time.
2003 GMT (4:03 p.m. EDT)
The mobile service tower is clear of the launch vehicle and continuing its full rollback under blue skies. The weather looks great right now, but it remains to be seen if the storms around Central Florida will stay away from Cape Canaveral to allow the Atlas rocket to launch at 6:53 p.m. EDT.
1958 GMT (3:58 p.m. EDT)
The Atlas propulsion systems preps have been completed. The C-band systems used to track the rocket during flight are being tested now.
1953 GMT (3:53 p.m. EDT)
The mobile service tower is beginning its move to the launch position with three hours remaining in the countdown.
The service structure wraps around the rocket, providing access to all areas of the vehicle during its stay on the launch pad. In preparation for fueling and liftoff this evening, the tower is moved a safe distance away, exposing the fully assembled 156-foot tall rocket.
1948 GMT (3:48 p.m. EDT)
The navigation test on the rocket's Inertial Navigation Unit guidance computer has been completed. The INU final alignment is now underway.
1945 GMT (3:45 p.m. EDT)
There remains a 60 percent chance of violating the launch weather rules during this evening's available liftoff window. For now, all conditions are acceptable.
The forecast calls for isolated showers and thunderstorms in the area, clouds scattered at 2,500 and 10,000 feet, broken at 25,000 feet, visibility of 7 miles, winds from the southeast at 12 to 15 knots and a temperature of 84 degrees.
1941 GMT (3:41 p.m. EDT)
Rollback of the mobile service tower is scheduled to begin at 3:53 p.m. Officials are planning to retract the tower to the launch position on schedule today. The past three launch attempts saw the tower rollback delayed to give the rocket weather protection.
1938 GMT (3:38 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 150 minutes and counting. "Man stations for Integrated Launch Operations."
The entire launch team has been assembled once again to oversee the final three-and-a-quarter hours of the countdown for flight of the Lockheed Martin Atlas-Centaur rocket carrying a secret spacecraft for the National Reconnaissance Office -- the government agency responsible for the U.S. fleet of spy satellites.
There are two holds, lasting for a total of 45 minutes, built into the countdown at T-minus 105 minutes and T-minus 5 minutes. Liftoff is targeted for 6:53 p.m. EDT.
1923 GMT (3:23 p.m. EDT)
The launch team is 15 minutes away from reporting on station for the Integrated Launch Operations phase of the countdown.
1845 GMT (2:45 p.m. EDT)
None of the weather rules are being violated at this time. But an area of disturbed weather is slowly moving into the central portion of Florida.
1800 GMT (2:00 p.m. EDT)
A large area of clouds and rain formed on the western side of Florida earlier today. That storm system is drifting eastward and the leading edge of rain is about 70 miles from the Cape.
1730 GMT (1:30 p.m. EDT)
The liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen system checks have been completed.
1702 GMT (1:02 p.m. EDT)
The flight control system operational test and the Atlas-Centaur internal power checks have just been completed. The guidance computer navigation test is beginning.
1623 GMT (12:23 p.m. EDT)
Crews at pad 36A are beginning preps for mobile service tower rollback that will occur later today. The sliding doors have been opened on the tower, which is fully enclosing the Atlas 2AS rocket. Some platforms that were placed around the vehicle to give workers access overnight will be retracted soon.
Also, the launch team is starting routine checks of the propellant systems in advance of re-fueling the rocket.
The rocket's flight control system power-up just completed. An operational test of the system is now beginning.
The countdown is progressing toward a 6:53 p.m. EDT (2253 GMT) launch. The weather forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of not meeting the launch weather criteria.
1445 GMT (10:45 a.m. EDT)
It is a beautiful morning along Florida's Space Coast as the fourth countdown gets underway for the launch of a secret National Reconnaissance Office satellite aboard Lockheed Martin's final Atlas 2AS rocket. But the question is will the weather be favorable eight hours from now when the launch window opens? Liftoff is targeted for 6:53 p.m. EDT (2253 GMT).
Countdown clocks began ticking at 10:03 a.m. today, and the launch team has already started powering up the rocket. The vehicle was completely safed, drained of fuel and powered down after last night's scrub.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2004
Worries about thunderstorm clouds over Cape Canaveral kept Lockheed Martin's Atlas 2AS rocket on the launch pad today, delaying the booster's mission to loft a national security satellite into orbit until Monday.
Meteorologists closely track such clouds because they can generate triggered lightning as rockets ascend, posing a catastrophic threat.
Liftoff from pad 36A is rescheduled for 6:53 p.m. EDT. But the weather forecast is iffy with a 60 percent chance of unacceptable conditions.
Today's scrub was the third straight postponement for the launch. Friday's countdown was halted to conduct precautionary checks of the rocket's batteries. Saturday's try was thwarted by launch pad dump valve that was accidently left open during fueling, allowing 10,000 gallons of liquid oxygen to drain out. That caused the flight to be delayed to Sunday so workers could replenish the storage tanks.
Storms moved over the launch site Sunday afternoon, bringing heavy rain and lightning to the Space Coast. Forecasters had hoped that the west-to-east moving storms would pass before the end of today's launch window at 7:25 p.m. Countdown clocks were ticking toward liftoff at that last available moment in hopes the anvil clouds would move clear. But at T-minus 90 seconds, the government's mission director called a stop to the countdown.
"Hold, hold, hold. This is the MD. MD is 'no go,'" Col. Chip Zakrzewski, director of the NRO's Office of Space Launch, announced to the launch team.
"Roger," the Lockheed Martin launch conductor replied. "All stations recycle to T-minus 5 minutes and holding."
With no time remaining in the daily launch window, the mission was automatically scrubbed for 24 hours.
The forecast for Monday calls for isolated showers and thunderstorms in the area, clouds scattered at 3,000 and 10,000 feet, broken at 25,000 feet, visibility of 7 miles, winds from the southwest at 10 knots and a temperature of 86 degrees. There is a 60 percent chance of breaking the launch weather rules.
2330 GMT (7:30 p.m. EDT)
"Just for the record, MD (the mission director) called a hold due to the fact we could not confirm we were green for the anvil cloud rule. Also, we could not confirm the (launch hazard area) box was clear from the weather aircraft," Lockheed Martin Adrian Laffitte radioed his crew in the blockhouse.
"We have requested a 24-hour recycle. So we make another attempt tomorrow."
The weather forecast calls for similar conditions and a 60 percent chance of violating the launch rules due to thunderstorms and associated clouds.
2328 GMT (7:28 p.m. EDT)
The vehicle safing has been completed. The launch team is beginning work to drain the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen from the Atlas-Centaur rocket following the scrub.
2324 GMT (7:24 p.m. EDT)
With no additional time left in the today's launch window for the weather clear, liftoff has been scrubbed. Launch is rescheduled for Monday evening at 6:53 p.m. EDT (2353 GMT).
2323 GMT (7:23 p.m. EDT)
The anvil cloud rule remains "no go."
2323 GMT (7:23 p.m. EDT)
Launch of the Atlas 2AS rocket has been halted at T-minus 90 seconds by the mission director.
The launch team is performing routine safing steps to recycle the countdown to the T-minus 5 minute mark.
2323 GMT (7:23 p.m. EDT)
HOLD! The countdown has been stopped.
2323 GMT (7:23 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 2 minutes. Pressurization of the Atlas/Centaur vehicle has started. Tanks now being brought to proper pressure levels for flight. Also, the solid rocket booster fire commands have been enabled and the vehicle's inadvertent separation destruct safety system has been armed.
Shortly, the Centaur upper stage will go to internal power and the flight termination system will be armed.
2322 GMT (7:22 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 2 minutes, 45 seconds. The NRO spacecraft has gone to internal power for launch.
2321 GMT (7:21 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 3 minutes, 30 seconds. Still awaiting final "go" on the weather.
2321 GMT (7:21 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 4 minutes. The Atlas booster stage and Flight Termination System are switching from ground-supplied power to internal batteries.
2320 GMT (7:20 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 4 minutes, 35 seconds. The water system is being readied for activation at launch pad 36A. Water will flood the pad to suppress the sound produced at liftoff and protect the ground support systems.
2320 GMT (7:20 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 5 minutes and counting! The countdown is running again for launch of Lockheed Martin's 30th and final Atlas 2AS rocket. The booster is set for liftoff at 7:25 p.m. EDT from pad 36A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida for a 74-minute flight to place a classified craft into space for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The NRO is the government agency responsible for the U.S. fleet of spy satellites.
If the weather does not clear in the next few minutes, the countdown will be aborted for today.
2319 GMT (7:19 p.m. EDT)
Standing by to pick up the countdown in one minute.
2318 GMT (7:18 p.m. EDT)
Lockheed Martin launch director Adrian Laffitte has given his "go" pending clearing of the anvil clouds by launch time.
2317 GMT (7:17 p.m. EDT)
The launch conductor has polled the launch team for readiness to continue the countdown. No technical problems were reported. However, the weather remains "no go" due to anvil clouds.
2315 GMT (7:15 p.m. EDT)
Just 10 minutes remain in today's launch opportunity. Final readiness polls are coming up in two minutes.
2314 GMT (7:14 p.m. EDT)
The weather reconnaissance aircraft is evaulating the anvil clouds to gain additional insight into the conditions aloft. There is no estimate on how long it might take for these clouds to pass out of the restricted area around the pad.
2309 GMT (7:09 p.m. EDT)
This countdown is turning out to be a real cliff-hanger. Liftoff is targeted for 7:25 p.m. EDT -- the very last moment that the rocket can fly today. The launch period is dictated by the requirements of the rocket's classified payload.
Anvil clouds over the launch site remain "no go" at this time. There are no technical issues being discussed by the launch team.
2306 GMT (7:06 p.m. EDT)
A Lockheed Martin spokesman says 7:25 p.m. EDT is the close of today's launch window. That means if the Atlas cannot lift off at that time, the launch would be delayed until tomorrow.
2305 GMT (7:05 p.m. EDT)
If the weather does clear, the launch team readiness poll will occur at 7:17 p.m. The countdown clocks would pick up at 7:20 for blastoff at 7:25 p.m. EDT (2325 GMT).
2259 GMT (6:59 p.m. EDT)
NEW LAUNCH TIME. Officials are pushing back the target launch time to 7:25 p.m. EDT (2325 GMT). This additional delay is needed to give the weather more time to improve.
The anvil clouds over the launch site must clear before the Atlas rocket can fly. The constraint ensures the rocket isn't launched into charged clouds that could trigger lightning and destroy the mission.
2257 GMT (6:57 p.m. EDT)
The cumulus cloud rule is now "go" for launch! The anvil cloud rule is the last remaining launch constraint that is being violated.
2255 GMT (6:55 p.m. EDT)
Still awaiting for the weather to cooperate. The countdown remains holding at T-minus 5 minutes.
2249 GMT (6:49 p.m. EDT)
The cumulus and anvil cloud rules remain violated. But meteorologists are expecting the conditions to clear by 7 p.m. to permit liftoff at 7:10 p.m. EDT.
2247 GMT (6:47 p.m. EDT)
Now 10 minutes into this 28-minute hold. Officials have pushed back the target launch time to 7:10 p.m. EDT (2310 GMT) from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The launch team will be polled at 7:02 p.m. for a final readiness to resume the countdown. Clocks will pick up at 7:05 p.m. if all systems are deemed "go."
2238 GMT (6:38 p.m. EDT)
The launch weather rule governing the field mills, which monitor the electrical charge in the air, is no longer being violated. So the two constraints still violated are the cumulus and anvil cloud rules.
2237 GMT (6:37 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 5 minutes and holding. Clocks has entered the final planned hold in the countdown. The pause is expected to last 28 minutes to synch up with the new launch time of 7:10 p.m. EDT.
This hold will give the launch team a chance to catch up on any work that could be running behind schedule. Also, managers will perform the final readiness checks before entering the last phase of the countdown.
This hold can be extended further if the weather remains "no go" for launch.
2236 GMT (6:36 p.m. EDT)
NEW LAUNCH TIME. Liftoff has been delayed a few minutes into today's launch window. The Atlas rocket is now targeted for liftoff at 7:10 p.m. EDT (2310 GMT.
2227 GMT (6:27 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 15 minutes and counting. Countdown clocks are ticking down to the T-minus 5 minute mark where a 15-minute hold will occur. Liftoff is still targeted for 6:57 p.m. EDT.
2224 GMT (6:24 p.m. EDT)
The lightning rule is no longer being broken. However, the electrical charge in the air, as well as the cumulus and anvil clouds over the launch site are still violating the weather rules.
2221 GMT (6:21 p.m. EDT)
The upper stage liquid hydrogen tank has reached flight level. The vehicle is now fully fueled for launch today at 6:57 p.m. EDT, if the weather clears.
2220 GMT (6:20 p.m. EDT)
The Atlas first stage liquid oxygen tank is now at flight level.
2219 GMT (6:19 p.m. EDT)
An inhibited self test of the rocket's Flight Termination System has been completed. The FTS would be used to destroy the vehicle in the event of a malfunction during launch.
2214 GMT (6:14 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur hydrogen tank is now 97 percent full, heading to flight level.
2212 GMT (6:12 p.m. EDT)
The Atlas liquid oxygen tank has reached the 98 percent level where it is being maintained. Topping to 100 percent will be completed shortly.
2210 GMT (6:10 p.m. EDT)
The liquid hydrogen tank inside the Centaur upper stage is 80 percent full.
Meanwhile, the mobile service tower has reached its parking location for launch, completing its remote control drive.
2204 GMT (6:04 p.m. EDT)
There are still four launch weather rules being violated at this time for lightning, cumulus clouds, anvil clouds and the field mills measuring electrical charge in the air.
2201 GMT (6:01 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur hydrogen tank has reached the 30 percent mark and the upper stage's liquid oxygen tank is now at flight level. Meanwhile, the first stage liquid oxygen tank is 70 percent full.
2157 GMT (5:57 p.m. EDT)
Now 60 minutes from launch time. The Lockeed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket is now fully exposed on pad 36A as the mobile service tower drives back to the launch position.
2156 GMT (5:56 p.m. EDT)
The first stage liquid oxygen tank is now half full.
2154 GMT (5:54 p.m. EDT)
With the liquid hydrogen system chilldown complete, officials have given the "go" to load the super-chilled fuel into the Centaur upper stage. The cryogenic propellant will be consumed with liquid oxygen by the stage's Pratt & Whitney-made RL10 engines to propel the NRO spacecraft into the targeted orbit tonight.
2152 GMT (5:52 p.m. EDT)
The weather is clearing pad 36A. So the decision has been made to roll the mobile service tower into the launch position in the next few minutes. This retraction will be performed via remote control.
2147 GMT (5:47 p.m. EDT)
The first stage liquid oxygen tank is 10 percent full.
The countdown remains on schedule in hopes that the weather will push through the Cape Canaveral area in time for liftoff at 6:57 p.m. EDT.
2141 GMT (5:41 p.m. EDT)
Topping of the Centaur liquid oxygen tank is now beginning.
2140 GMT (5:40 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur liquid oxygen tank has reached the 95 percent full level where it is being secured. Topping to 100 percent will be completed shortly. As the countdown proceeds, the tank will be replenished to replace the cryogenic liquid oxygen that naturally boils away.
2140 GMT (5:40 p.m. EDT)
The "go" has now been given to commence loading of the Atlas first stage liquid oxygen tank.
2137 GMT (5:37 p.m. EDT)
The final alignment of the Atlas rocket's inertial navigation guidance computer has been completed. The flight control system final preps have begun.
2136 GMT (5:36 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur liquid oxygen tank is 80 percent full.
2133 GMT (5:33 p.m. EDT)
The chilldown conditioning of liquid hydrogen propellant lines at pad 36A is starting to prepare the plumbing for transferring the Minus-423 degree F fuel into the rocket.
Also at this time the door of the Complex 36 Blockhouse is being sealed, protecting the 120-member launch team. The blockhouse is located just 1,400 feet away from the Atlas 2AS rocket at pad 36A, and serves as the control center for the countdown to launch.
2130 GMT (5:30 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur liquid oxygen loading continues with the tank now 50 percent full.
2127 GMT (5:27 p.m. EDT)
Now 90 minutes from launch. It is still raining at pad 36A but the storm continues to drift eastward.
2122 GMT (5:22 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur liquid oxygen tank is now 10 percent full as cryogenic tanking operations begin under cloudy, rainy skies this afternoon at Cape Canaveral. Liftoff is still targeted for 6:57 p.m. EDT.
2115 GMT (5:15 p.m. EDT)
Chilldown conditioning of the liquid oxygen transfer lines at pad 36A is complete. And the "go" has now been given to start filling the Centaur upper stage with its supply of super-cold cryogenic oxidizer.
The liquid oxygen -- chilled to Minus-298 degrees F -- will be consumed during the launch by the Centaur's twin RL10 engines along with liquid hydrogen to be pumped into the stage later in the countdown.
2104 GMT (5:04 p.m. EDT)
The storm is right over the launch complex at this time, dumping heavy rain on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
2100 GMT (5:00 p.m. EDT)
It is now raining at pad 36A.
2058 GMT (4:58 p.m. EDT)
Safety officials have confirmed that the danger area around the launch pad is cleared of all personnel. This allows the "chilldown" procedure to start for thermal conditioning of the liquid oxygen fuel lines at pad 36A in advance of loading the Centaur upper stage.
Also at this time, the Centaur pneumatic bottle charging and the engine gaseous helium chilldown operations are starting.
2057 GMT (4:57 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 105 minutes and counting. The countdown has picked up after the planned 30-minute hold.
The count will continue to T-minus 5 minutes where a planned 15-minute built-in hold is scheduled. Launch of the Atlas 2AS rocket with the secret NRO cargo remains targeted for 6:57 p.m. EDT.
2053 GMT (4:53 p.m. EDT)
The launch conductor has finished his pre-fueling poll of the launch team with no constraints voiced. Launch director Adrian Laffitte then gave a "ready" status, followed by the government mission director. Cryogenic liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants will be pumped into the Atlas and Centaur stages is scheduled to start at 5:11 p.m.
2043 GMT (4:43 p.m. EDT)
In less than 10 minutes, a readiness check of the launch team for fueling the rocket will be performed by the Lockheed Martin launch conductor. Officials report that all preps to this point have been completed and the launch pad is configured for the "tanking-in-the-tower" fueling procedure.
2037 GMT (4:37 p.m. EDT)
Now 10 minutes into this planned half-hour built-in hold. The field mill measurements, which monitor the electrical charge in the air, have now gone "red" or "no go" as this storm passes over the Cape.
2031 GMT (4:31 p.m. EDT)
It was just a matter of time before some of the launch weather rules would be broken by the incoming weather from the west. At this time, the lightning, cumulus cloud and anvil cloud rules are being violated.
2029 GMT (4:29 p.m. EDT)
The launch pad crew reports its work has been completed. And with that announcement, they were instructed to clear the hazard area for the remainder of today's countdown to launch.
2027 GMT (4:27 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 105 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered a planned 30-minute built-in hold for today's launch of the Atlas 2AS rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
The count has 45 minutes of holds scheduled over the course the afternoon that will lead to liftoff at 6:57 p.m. EDT (2257 GMT). A second and final hold is planned at T-minus 5 minutes for 15 minutes. The holds are designed to give the launch team a window of time to work any problems that could arise.
2021 GMT (4:21 p.m. EDT)
The latest check of the weather shows none of the launch rules are being violated at the moment. But the rain and clouds from the west are nearing Cape Canaveral now.
There is a rather strong thunderstorm about 20 miles to the south. But it is heading off shore.
2003 GMT (4:03 p.m. EDT)
The mobile service tower has reached the "tangent position" after moving a few feet. It will remain in this spot to protect the rocket from incoming weather yet allow the vehicle to be fueled later in the countdown. After the threatening weather passes, the tower can be rolled back on remote command without personnel being on the pad.
Meteorologists are hopeful that these storms and clouds will move through and allow a clear window for launch at 6:57 p.m. EDT tonight. But there is a 60 percent chance that the launch weather rules will be violated this evening.
2001 GMT (4:01 p.m. EDT)
The pad crew is progressing through its final checks in preparation for clearing personnel from the area. With the storms nearing the Cape, officials want to get the hands-on work completed at 36A before any lightning warnings are issued that would force the crew to evacuate for safety.
1957 GMT (3:57 p.m. EDT)
With three hours remaining until launch time, tower move to the "tangent position" is beginning.
1952 GMT (3:52 p.m. EDT)
The navigation test on the rocket's Inertial Navigation Unit guidance computer has been completed. The INU final alignment is now underway.
1945 GMT (3:45 p.m. EDT)
Launch team members were just polled to confirm all are "ready" for mobile service tower rollback. But given the stormy weather closing in, mission officials have decided to put the tower into the "tangent position" to shield the vehicle from the weather. The rocket can be fueled with the tower in that location. Once the weather permits, the tower will be fully retracted via remote control.
1942 GMT (3:42 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 150 minutes and counting. "Man stations for Integrated Launch Operations."
The full launch team has been assembled to oversee the final three-and-a-quarter hours of the countdown for today's flight of the Lockheed Martin Atlas-Centaur rocket carrying a secret spacecraft for the National Reconnaissance Office -- the government agency responsible for the U.S. fleet of spy satellites.
There are two holds, lasting for a total of 45 minutes, built into the countdown at T-minus 105 minutes and T-minus 5 minutes. Liftoff is targeted for 6:57 p.m. EDT.
1939 GMT (3:39 p.m. EDT)
The area of storms continue to drift toward the Cape. As a result, officials have decided to keep the tower around the Atlas rocket until later in the countdown. So this will be the third straight countdown in which the tower is stationed in the "tangent position" vs. being rolled to the launch location.
At this point, no weather rules are being broken. The launch time forecast still calls for a 60 percent chance of bad weather.
1927 GMT (3:27 p.m. EDT)
The launch team is 15 minutes away from reporting on station for the Integrated Launch Operations phase of the countdown. Rollback of the mobile service tower is scheduled to begin at 3:57 p.m. Officials are planning to retract the tower to the launch position on schedule today. The past two launch attempts saw the tower rollback delayed to give the rocket weather protection.
1909 GMT (3:09 p.m. EDT)
Safety teams have completed the so-called holdfire checks to verify the countdown can be halted at the last moment.
1850 GMT (2:50 p.m. EDT)
While the technical preparations continue at Cape Canaveral, meteorologists have another busy day tracking the development of storms and clouds around Central Florida. Radar is currently showing an area of thunderstorms near Orlando, about 40 miles away, moving eastward in the general direction of the Space Coast.
1704 GMT (1:04 p.m. EDT)
With launch about six hours away, countdown activities are in full swing at pad 36A. The launch team has been performing liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen system preps, the Centaur internal power checks, and now the guidance computer navigation test is beginning.
1620 GMT (12:20 p.m. EDT)
The third countdown for the Atlas 2AS rocket launch of a classified National Reconnaissance Office spacecraft has begun at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Liftoff is scheduled for 6:57 p.m. EDT (2257 GMT) today.
Last night's launch attempt was thwarted by a valve that was accidently opened in the launch pad fueling system, allowing a large amount of liquid oxygen to escape before it could be pumped into the rocket. Without sufficient liquid oxygen remaining, officials had to scrub the countdown to replenish the pad's storage tanks.
Friday's initial countdown was called off to allow precautionary testing of the rocket's batteries.
The weather has been a major concern for the past couple of days. For this evening's attempt, the outlook is the best it has been so far. There is a 60 percent chance of unacceptable conditions. The previous days it has been 70 and 80 percent, respectively.
See the a detailed forecast for today here.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2004
2312 GMT (7:12 p.m. EDT)
The forecast for Sunday's 6:57 p.m. EDT (2257 GMT) launch time calls for isolated showers and thunderstorms in the area, clouds scattered at 2,500 and 10,000 feet, broken at 25,000 feet, visibility of 7 miles, winds from the southeast at 10 to 12 knots and a temperature of 84 degrees. There is now a 60 percent chance of breaking the launch weather rules, which is a slight improvement from the 70 percent announced earlier.
2240 GMT (6:40 p.m. EDT)
A mis-configured valve in launch pad plumbing caused about 10,000 gallons of liquid oxygen to escape through a dump valve during fueling operations today, forcing officials to scrub the flight of Lockheed Martin's last Atlas 2AS rocket for 24 hours.
The error meant storage tanks at Cape Canaveral's pad 36A did not have enough liquid oxygen remaining to finish filling the Atlas rocket and keep the vehicle topped off in advance of liftoff.
"Despite our conservation efforts it looks like we are going to be a couple thousand gallons short of liquid oxygen in order to complete Atlas LOX tanking and continue on with topping to meet our window open T-0," the anomaly coordinator announced to the launch team.
Moments later, the launch attempt was officially called off.
"It appears we are going to be running short of LOX. So at this point, we are going to go scrub the operation for today," launch director Adrian Laffitte radioed to the launch conductor in the Complex 36 Blockhouse.
"Roger. Would you like to plan for a 24-hour recycle?" the launch conductor replied.
"Absolutely," Laffitte said.
The pad's liquid oxygen system will be replenished in time for Sunday's countdown. Liftoff is reset for 6:57 p.m. EDT (2257 GMT).
Even without the liquid oxygen leak today's launch attempt was in doubt due to thunderstorms in the area. And Sunday's forecast is not much better with a 70 percent chance of conditions prohibiting liftoff.
2221 GMT (6:21 p.m. EDT)
SCRUB! Launch of the Atlas 2AS rocket has been scrubbed for today. There is not enough liquid oxygen remaining to complete loading the rocket after a leak earlier in the countdown permitted a large amount of the cryogenic oxidizer to be lost.
The launch team is preparing for another launch attempt on Sunday evening. The launch time will be 6:57 p.m. EDT (2257 GMT).
2219 GMT (6:19 p.m. EDT)
It appears tonight's countdown will be scrubbed momentarily. The earlier leakage experienced in the liquid oxygen system allowed about 10,000 gallons to be lost. There is not enough liquid oxygen left in the launch pad storage system to complete filling the Atlas vehicle and make the opening of the launch window.
2217 GMT (6:17 p.m. EDT)
The liquid hydrogen tank inside the Centaur upper stage is half full.
2215 GMT (6:15 p.m. EDT)
An inhibited self test of the rocket's Flight Termination System is beginning. The FTS would be used to destroy the vehicle in the event of a malfunction during launch.
2212 GMT (6:12 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur liquid oxygen tank is now at flight level.
2210 GMT (6:10 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur hydrogen tank has reached the 10 percent mark.
2207 GMT (6:07 p.m. EDT)
The first stage liquid oxygen tank is now half full.
2206 GMT (6:06 p.m. EDT)
With the liquid hydrogen system chilldown complete, officials have given the "go" to load the super-chilled fuel into the Centaur upper stage. The cryogenic propellant will be consumed with liquid oxygen by the stage's Pratt & Whitney-made RL10 engines to propel the NRO spacecraft into the targeted orbit tonight.
2205 GMT (6:05 p.m. EDT)
Weather forecasters at Cape Canaveral have left their prediction unchanged -- an 80 percent chance of violating the launch rules at 7:02 p.m. EDT.
2202 GMT (6:02 p.m. EDT)
Just one hour remains until launch of the final Atlas 2AS rocket and the National Reconnaissance Office classified payload. The countdown rolls on with a close eye on the weather.
2200 GMT (6:00 p.m. EDT)
The mobile service tower has reached its parking location for launch, completing its remote control drive.
2159 GMT (5:59 p.m. EDT)
The first stage liquid oxygen tank is 10 percent full.
2153 GMT (5:53 p.m. EDT)
Topping of the Centaur liquid oxygen tank is now beginning.
Weather conditions remain "go" at this time. However, there is an area of clouds and rain to the south and west that meteorologists continue to track closely.
2152 GMT (5:52 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur liquid oxygen tank has reached 95 percent full level where it is being secured. Topping to 100 percent will be completed shortly. As the countdown proceeds, the tank will be replenished to replace the cryogenic liquid oxygen that naturally boils away.
And the "go" has now been given to commence loading of the Atlas first stage liquid oxygen tank.
2148 GMT (5:48 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur liquid oxygen tank is 80 percent full.
2145 GMT (5:45 p.m. EDT)
The chilldown conditioning of liquid hydrogen propellant lines at pad 36A is starting to prepare the plumbing for transferring the Minus-423 degree F fuel into the rocket.
Also at this time the door of the Complex 36 Blockhouse is being sealed, protecting the 120-member launch team. The blockhouse is located just 1,400 feet away from the Atlas 2AS rocket at pad 36A, and serves as the control center for the countdown to launch.
2144 GMT (5:44 p.m. EDT)
The mobile service tower is now clear of the Atlas rocket as it drives back to the launch position, fully exposing the vehicle on pad 36A.
2142 GMT (5:42 p.m. EDT)
The final alignment of the Atlas rocket's inertial navigation guidance computer has been completed. The flight control system final preps have begun.
2141 GMT (5:41 p.m. EDT)
It appears that a mis-configured valve was causing the slow fill-rate to the Centaur liquid oxygen tank.
2140 GMT (5:40 p.m. EDT)
The Centaur liquid oxygen loading continues while engineers assess the possibility of a leak in the fillng system. The tank is now 40 percent full.
2136 GMT (5:36 p.m. EDT)
With the weather currently looking pretty good over Cape Canaveral, the decision has been made to roll the mobile service tower into the launch position. This retraction will be performed via remote control.
2135 GMT (5:35 p.m. EDT)
The launch team is seeing indications of a possible leak in the liquid oxygen system leading to the Centaur upper stage. The fill-rate for the Centaur is progressing slower than normal and some pressure measurements are different than expected. The anomaly team has been asked to troubleshoot.
2127 GMT (5:27 p.m. EDT)
Cryogenic tanking operations are underway at pad 36A this afternoon as the countdown continues for liftoff at 7:02 p.m. EDT. The Centaur liquid oxygen tank is now 10 percent full.
2117 GMT (5:17 p.m. EDT)
Chilldown conditioning of the liquid oxygen transfer lines at pad 36A is complete. And the "go" has now been given to start filling the Centaur upper stage with its supply of super-cold cryogenic oxidizer.
The liquid oxygen -- chilled to Minus-298 degrees F -- will be consumed during the launch by the Centaur's twin RL10 engines along with liquid hydrogen to be pumped into the stage later in the countdown.
2107 GMT (5:07 p.m. EDT)
The latest weather update is still showing all conditions are acceptable right now. But the forecast for the 7:02 p.m. EDT liftoff time continues to predict an 80 percent chance of violating the weather rules due to thunderstorms in the area.
2104 GMT (5:04 p.m. EDT)
Safety officials have confirmed that the danger area around the launch pad is cleared of all personnel. This allows the "chilldown" procedure to start for thermal conditioning of the liquid oxygen fuel lines at pad 36A in advance of loading the Centaur upper stage.
Also at this time, the Centaur pneumatic bottle charging and the engine gaseous helium chilldown operations are starting.
2102 GMT (5:02 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 105 minutes and counting. The countdown has resumed as scheduled following the planned half-hour hold.
The count will continue to T-minus 5 minutes where a planned 15-minute built-in hold is scheduled. Launch of the Atlas 2AS rocket with the secret NRO cargo remains targeted for 7:02 p.m. EDT.
2059 GMT (4:59 p.m. EDT)
The pre-fueling poll has been accomplished by the launch conductor with no technical problems reported. Launch director Adrian Laffitte then gave a "ready" status. Cryogenic liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants will be pumped into the Atlas and Centaur stages shortly.
At launch pad 36A, crews have completed securing work. They have been instructed to clear the area.
2047 GMT (4:47 p.m. EDT)
In about 10 minutes, a readiness check of the launch team for fueling the rocket will be performed by the Lockheed Martin launch conductor.
2032 GMT (4:32 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 105 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered a planned 30-minute built-in hold for today's launch of the Atlas 2AS rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
The count has 45 minutes of holds scheduled over the course the afternoon that will lead to liftoff at 7:02 p.m. EDT (2302 GMT). A second and final hold is planned at T-minus 5 minutes for 15 minutes. The holds are designed to give the launch team a window of time to work any problems that could arise.
2027 GMT (4:27 p.m. EDT)
All weather rules are still "go." But the weather officer is still predicting an 80 percent chance of violating the rules at the 7:02 p.m. EDT launch time.
2026 GMT (4:26 p.m. EDT)
The flight hazard area roadblocks are being established at this time. And at pad 36A, the final checks are being performed by workers before they to depart for launch.
2007 GMT (4:07 p.m. EDT)
The launch team has begun the C-band system test.
2002 GMT (4:02 p.m. EDT)
Now three hours from launch.
1957 GMT (3:57 p.m. EDT)
The navigation test on the rocket's Inertial Navigation Unit guidance computer has been completed. The INU final alignment is now underway.
1940 GMT (3:40 p.m. EDT)
The countdown rolls on at Cape Canaveral where Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Air Force and National Reconnaissance Office hope the weather will somehow cooperate for tonight's liftoff of the Atlas 2AS rocket carrying a secret national security payload. Liftoff is targeted for 7:02 p.m. EDT (2302 GMT) from pad 36A.
Since the Integrated Launch Operations phase of the countdown and the service tower move occurred early today to beat incoming weather, there is a relatively quiet time right now. The count will be going into a built-in hold in the next hour. Fueling of the rocket will begin around 5:15 p.m.
1910 GMT (3:10 p.m. EDT)
The mobile service tower has reached the "tangent position." The launch pad crews will complete the final securing of the complex in preparation for fueling before departing the area. The tower will be commanded to retract to the launch location via remote control later today if weather permits.
1903 GMT (3:03 p.m. EDT)
Launch team members were just polled to confirm all are "ready" for mobile service tower mvoe to the "tangent position."
1900 GMT (3:00 p.m. EDT)
"Man stations for Integrated Launch Operations." The full launch team is reporting for duty as the countdown enters its final hours for today's 7:02 p.m. EDT liftoff the Atlas rocket.
1852 GMT (2:52 p.m. EDT)
No launch weather rules are being violated at the current time. But stormy weather is developing across Florida, which means there is an 80 percent chance that conditions will prohibit liftoff of the Atlas rocket tonight at 7:02 p.m. EDT.
The launch time forecast calls for isolated showers and thunderstorms in the area, clouds scattered at 2,500 and 10,000 feet, broken at 25,000 feet, visibility of 7 miles, winds from the northeast at 10 to 12 knots and a temperature of 84 degrees.
If the launch is delayed to Sunday, the latest forecast for tomorrow night now indicates a 70 percent chance of bad weather. There will be showers and storms in the vicinity, clouds scattered at 3,000 and 25,000 feet, a visibility of 7 miles, winds from the west at 12 to 15 knots and a temperature of 85 degrees.
1840 GMT (2:40 p.m. EDT)
The weather has prompted some changes to the countdown this afternoon -- the inital movement of the mobile service tower will occur an hour early today and the vehicle will be fueled with the structure still protecting the rocket from the weather under the so-called "tanking-in-the-tower" procedure.
The mobile service tower will be moved a few feet to the "tangent position" shortly after 3 p.m. EDT. With the hands-on work then completed, technicians will clear the hazard area for the remainder of the countdown.
Under a standard countdown, workers were to roll the mobile service tower into its launch position at 4 p.m. before departing the area so the rocket can be fueled during the final three hours of the countdown. But an alternate option available is retracting the tower all the way to the launch position via remote control, which officials have elected to do today.
The "tanking-in-the-tower" scenario of loading the rocket with super-cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen will accomplish two things: keeping the tower around the Atlas to shield it from severe weather while also continuing the countdown for launch.
The service tower can be rolled back at any point once the weather worry passes. But to preserve an on-time launch, the tower must be in motion by around 6:42 p.m. EDT as the countdown clocks enter a planned 15-minute hold at the T-minus 5 minute point.
1635 GMT (12:35 p.m. EDT)
A second countdown is underway for the launch of Lockheed Martin's last Atlas 2AS rocket on a classified mission to deliver a national security spacecraft into Earth orbit.
Liftoff is scheduled for 7:02 p.m. EDT (2302 GMT) this evening from pad 36A at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Precautionary testing of the rocket's batteries has been performed, officials report, and the issue has been put to rest for tonight's launch attempt. Friday's countdown was halted before fueling began so that the additional battery checks could be conducted.
As was the case yesterday, the weather will be a key factor in today's countdown. Air Force meteorologists say there is an 80 percent chance that thunderstorms and the associated clouds will prevent the Atlas rocket from launching this evening.
The weather outlook for Sunday is a bit better with a 60 percent chance of unacceptable conditions.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2004
The weather forecast for Saturday's launch time predicts an 80 percent chance of unacceptable conditions. The prediction for Sunday evening's backup launch attempt calls for a 60 percent chance of bad weather. See the full forecast here.
2315 GMT (7:15 p.m. EDT)
Officials confirm the batteries in question that caused tonight's launch attempt to be scrubbed are aboard the Atlas 2AS rocket itself. Engineers will be conducting tests to confirm all is well before clearing the vehicle for flight.
Liftoff is rescheduled for Saturday at 7:02 p.m. EDT (2302 GMT). But the weather outlook is grim, with forecasters predicting slim odds that thunderstorms will stay clear of the launch site.
2120 GMT (5:20 p.m. EDT)
Launch of the final Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket has been postponed until Saturday evening after concerns with batteries halted today's countdown at Cape Canaveral. It was not immediately clear if the batteries in question are on the Atlas rocket or its classified National Reconnaissance Office cargo.
"The mission director has declared that we will be down for today. Please stop the current operation, and we will recycle for an attempt tomorrow," launch director Adrian Laffitte radioed to the Lockheed Martin launch conductor in the Complex 36 blockhouse.
"Roger, copy, a 24-hour recycle," the launch conductor replied.
"All stations, LC, start system securing. Tonight's operation is scrubbed," launch conductor told his crew.
"Just for your information, we are standing down so we can perform additional testing on the batteries," Laffitte added.
The weather outlook for Saturday evening's launch opportunity is not promising due to thunderstorms. Liftoff time will be around 7 p.m. EDT.
We will post a weather update and confirm the exact launch time as soon as the information is available.
2112 GMT (5:12 p.m. EDT)
The decision to scrub the launch was prompted to examine a battery issue, officials report.
2111 GMT (5:11 p.m. EDT)
SCRUB! The decision has been made to postpone tonight's launch opportunity. The launch team is preparing to try again on Saturday evening.
2106 GMT (5:06 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 105 minutes and counting. The countdown clocks are ticking again following the planned half-hour hold.
The countdown will continue to T-minus 5 minutes where a planned 15-minute built-in hold is scheduled. Launch of the Atlas 2AS rocket with the secret NRO cargo remains targeted for 7:06 p.m. EDT, if the weather allows.
2101 GMT (5:01 p.m. EDT)
No technical problems were reported during the pre-fueling poll by the launch conductor. Launch director Adrian Laffitte then gave a "ready" status. Cryogenic liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants will be pumped into the Atlas and Centaur stages shortly.
At launch pad 36A, crews have completed securing work. They have been instructed to clear the area.
2051 GMT (4:51 p.m. EDT)
Now half-way through this built-in hold in the countdown. Lockheed Martin is still targeting an on-time liftoff of the Atlas rocket at 7:06 p.m. EDT from pad 36A at Cape Canaveral.
In about 10 minutes, a readiness check of the launch team for fueling the rocket will be performed by the Lockheed Martin launch conductor.
2045 GMT (4:45 p.m. EDT)
The launch weather rule for anvil clouds is currently "no go." That is the only rule being broken at this tme.
2039 GMT (4:39 p.m. EDT)
The mobile service tower has reached the "tangent position" to permit fueling of the rocket with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen starting in the next hour. Engineers report the remote control drive system is now working properly. The system will be used later in the countdown to retract the tower to the launch position once the weather concerns ease.
With the tower in the "tangent position," workers will be clearing the hazard area around pad 36A shortly.
2036 GMT (4:36 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 105 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered a planned 30-minute built-in hold for today's launch of the Atlas 2AS rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
The count has 45 minutes of holds scheduled over the course the afternoon that will lead to liftoff at 7:06 p.m. EDT (2306 GMT). A second and final hold is planned at T-minus 5 minutes for 15 minutes. The holds are designed to give the launch team a window of time to work any problems that could arise.
2032 GMT (4:32 p.m. EDT)
Technicians have regained the remote control drive capability for the mobile service tower.
2031 GMT (4:31 p.m. EDT)
The flight hazard area roadblocks are being established at this time. And at pad 36A, the final checks are being performed by workers before the are supposed to depart for launch.
The Air Force says there are no Collision Avoidance periods, or COLAs, that would prohibit liftoff during today's launch window. COLA cutouts occur to ensure the rocket isn't launched on a course that would take it too close to an object already orbiting in space.
2020 GMT (4:20 p.m. EDT)
Engineers are troubleshooting a problem with the remote control drive system that would be used to retract the mobile service tower later in the countdown after workers clear the pad's hazardous area in advance of fueling. The tower drive system is working in the mode operated hands-on by workers at the pad but not via remote control, officials report.
2007 GMT (4:07 p.m. EDT)
Crews at pad 36A report that preps to roll back the mobile service tower have been completed. The structure will now begin moving a few feet into the "tangent position" where it will still shield the vehicle from the weather while also allowing the countdown to progress into fueling operations.
2002 GMT (4:02 p.m. EDT)
The cumulus cloud rule is now "go." So there are no weather rules being violated at this time.
2001 GMT (4:01 p.m. EDT)
The navigation test on the rocket's Inertial Navigation Unit guidance computer has been completed. The INU final alignment is now underway.
1955 GMT (3:55 p.m. EDT)
Launch team members were just polled to confirm all are "ready" for mobile service tower rollback. But given the chance of lightning and gusty winds, mission officials have decided to delay moving the tower into its launch position as scheduled at 4:06 p.m.
The plan now calls for the tower to inch away from the vehicle slightly to the "tangent position" where the rocket can be fueled. This will allow the countdown to continue to support an on-time launch this evening. Once the weather threat passes, the tower will be full retracted via remote control.
1951 GMT (3:51 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 150 minutes and counting. "Man stations for Integrated Launch Operations."
The full launch team has been assembled to oversee the final three-and-a-quarter hours of the countdown for today's flight of the Lockheed Martin Atlas-Centaur rocket carrying a secret spacecraft for the National Reconnaissance Office -- the government agency responsible for the U.S. fleet of spy satellites.
There are two holds, lasting for a total of 45 minutes, built into the countdown at T-minus 105 minutes and T-minus 5 minutes. Liftoff is targeted for 7:06 p.m. EDT.
The countdown is being controlled from the Complex 36 Blockhouse where the 120-member team is positioned at consoles to monitor systems, fuel the rocket and perform final tests leading up to liftoff of this Atlas 2AS vehicle. The senior management team is housed in the Atlas 5 Spaceflight Operations Center (ASOC) at Complex 41.
The weather remains a chief concern for this evening due to thunderstorms in the area. Forecasters are still predicting a 70 percent chance that conditions will be unacceptable at launch time.
1933 GMT (3:33 p.m. EDT)
The lightning rule is no longer being violated. However, the cumulus cloud rule is still being broken at the present time.
1919 GMT (3:19 p.m. EDT)
Safety teams have completed the so-called holdfire checks to verify the countdown can be halted at the last moment.
1842 GMT (2:42 p.m. EDT)
And now the lightning rule has gone "red" on the status board, indicating current conditions are violating that launch constraint.
1838 GMT (2:38 p.m. EDT)
A check of the current weather conditions at pad 36A shows that one launch weather rule is being violated. Clouds over the launch site are breaking the rule governing cumulus clouds.
Although there is a 70 percent chance of weather being unacceptable at tonight's 7:06 p.m. EDT liftoff time, Lockheed Martin will press ahead with the countdown in hopes that conditions cooperate.
1806 GMT (2:06 p.m. EDT)
Liftoff of the Atlas 2AS rocket is just five hours away.
Here is a look at some statistics for today's mission:
- This will be the 584th flight of an Atlas booster since 1957
- The 576th and last Atlas vehicle powered by a Rocketdyne main engine
- The 173rd launch of a Centaur upper stage (including Atlas and Titan)
- Centaur's 150th flight on Atlas
- The 30th and final flight for the Atlas 2AS-model rocket with strap-on solid boosters since debuting in December 1993
- For the entire Atlas 2-series of vehicles (2, 2A, 2AS), this will be the 63rd and last launch since December 1991
- It is the fifth of six planned Atlas launches in 2004 and the fourth using the 2AS model
- The sixth National Reconnaissance Office mission on Atlas 2 rockets since January 1998
- Fourth NRO launch for Atlas 2 from Cape Canaveral
- If all goes well, tonight's launch will extend the string of consecutive successful Atlas flights to 73 dating back to 1993
1740 GMT (1:40 p.m. EDT)
Clouds are building and several rainshowers have popped up on radar all around the Central Florida area. The Air Force-led launch weather forecasters predict a 70 percent chance that stormy weather will scrub tonight's launch opportunity.
1635 GMT (12:35 p.m. EDT)
The sliding doors on the mobile service tower are now open and access platforms that have been around the Atlas rocket are being folded up as launch preparations continue at pad 36A. Workers are readying the tower for its retraction to the launch position later this afternoon, weather permitting.
1515 GMT (11:15 a.m. EDT)
The latest weather forecast for this evening's launch opportunity is still calling for a 70 percent chance of bad weather. The outlook for Saturday evening -- the backup launch date -- has an 80 percent chance of violating the weather rules. See the full report here.
1416 GMT (10:16 a.m. EDT)
START COUNTDOWN. Clocks at Cape Canaveral's Launch Complex 36 are beginning to tick down for today's launch of the Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload. Liftoff is slated to occur at 7:06 p.m. EDT (2306 GMT).
Throughout the day crews at pad 36A and in the Complex 36 blockhouse will proceed through their standard countdown chores needed to ready the Atlas booster and its twin-engine Centaur upper stage for launch, as well as the ground systems and NRO spacecraft.
Highlights of activities planned, in the order they are scheduled to be performed, include Centaur propulsion launch preps, powering up the rocket's flight control system, Atlas propulsion and hydraulic systems preps, launch pad umbilical tower and mobile service structure preps, performing the flight control operational test, the internal power test of Atlas-Centaur, performing a navigation test of rocket's guidance computer, starting Centaur helium purges and starting liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen system final preps.
The Integrated Launch Operations -- the final portion of the countdown in which all members of the launch team participate -- will start at 3:51 p.m. EDT (1951 GMT). Retraction of the mobile service tower from around the rocket is slated for 4:06 p.m. EDT.
Countdown clocks will enter a planned 30-minute hold at the T-minus 105 minute mark starting at 4:36 p.m. During this time the launch team will have a chance to catch up on any work that could be running behind schedule.
Fueling operations will commence at 5:20 p.m. with super-cold liquid oxygen flowing into the Centaur upper stage. Loading of liquid oxygen into the Atlas booster stage should start at 5:46 p.m. The final segment of fueling begins at 6:00 p.m. when liquid hydrogen is pumped into the Centaur. The Atlas stage was previously fueled with its supply of RP-1 kerosene propellant.
A final planned hold is scheduled at T-minus 5 minutes for 15 minutes starting at 6:46 p.m. If there are no problems standing in the way of liftoff, the countdown will resume at 7:01 p.m. for an on-time launch.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2004
1700 GMT (1:00 p.m. EDT)
Mother Nature could play a pivotal role in Friday's countdown to launch of Lockheed Martin's last Atlas 2AS rocket carrying a secret national security satellite, but officials have a few tricks up their sleeves to avoid delays during pre-flight preparations at Cape Canaveral's pad 36A.
Air Force meteorologists say there is a 70 percent chance that Central Florida's trademark summertime thunderstorms and associated clouds will scrub the launch attempt. The rocket cannot fly through such clouds, known as anvil and debris clouds, because the fast-speeding booster could be knocked out by triggered lightning.
"That's seems to be where our challenge is going to be tomorrow," Atlas launch director Adrian Laffitte said in an interview this morning.
"There is a low-pressure system forming right on top of Florida that is probably going to have a lot of those anvil clouds shooting from Orlando to our way. They don't expect there to be thunderstorms, high winds, etc. on top of the pad, but the concern is going to be anvil clouds and debris clouds. So it will be making for an interesting countdown."
Launch of the 30th and final Atlas 2AS vehicle is scheduled for 7:06 p.m. EDT (2306 GMT). Officials have not publicly announced the available launch window duration due to the classified nature of this satellite mission. But officials have said that the launch must occur before 8 p.m. or else be delayed 24 hours.
The countdown begins at 10:16 a.m. EDT (1416 GMT). Over the next few hours, workers will put the final touches on pad 36A and prep the mobile service tower for its planned 4:06 p.m. EDT (2006 GMT) retraction from around the Atlas rocket.
If a lightning warning were issued for the launch complex during the afternoon, crews would be forced to leave the pad. To avoid getting behind in the pre-flight checklist in such a scenario, officials can shuffle procedures to keep the countdown on track for liftoff.
"We will take a look at what are those tasks that we can do in anticipation of being kicked off the pad so we won't affect the countdown due to Phase 1, Phase 2 (lightning advisories)," Laffitte said.
"Phase 1 (means) that lightning is within 5 nautical miles. A Phase 2 is lightning is occurring. Once they declare a Phase 1, normally that will put us into a preparation that we have our guys ready to leave (the pad) if a Phase 2 gets called."
Under a standard countdown, workers roll the mobile service tower into its launch position before clearing the hazard area so the rocket can be fueled during the final three hours of the countdown. But another option available tomorrow is retracting the tower via remote control.
The "tanking-in-the-tower" scenario of loading the rocket with super-cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen would accomplish two things: keeping the tower around the Atlas to shield it from severe weather while also continuing the countdown for launch.
"The main concern that will trigger us to go tank in the tower is if there is any risk to the launch vehicle/payload due to high winds or lightning," Laffitte said. "If those concerns are not there and it is just an issue of anvil clouds, debris clouds, etc., we most likely will roll the tower normally. However if the weather forecast starts indicting any risk, we are prepared to tank in the tower."
The service tower can be rolled back at any point once the weather worry passes. But to preserve an on-time launch, the tower must be in motion by around 6:46 p.m. EDT as the countdown clocks enter a planned 15-minute hold at the T-minus 5 minute point.
"When we go into the hold, we have to start to roll the tower back at that point so we can still hit the T-0 (at 7:06 p.m. EDT)," Laffitte explained.
This is the last launch for the Atlas 2-series of rockets that have been in service since 1991. All flights have been successful, lofting commercial, scientific and government satellites into space. It also marks the last Atlas to ever fly from pad 36A.
"The only difference that you may see tomorrow is the guys in the blockhouse have decided they are all going to dress up. They figure 'hey, this is the last launch from 36A, we are going to send it off in class.' Some people may wear tuxedos, some people may wear suits, but more than just your shirt and tie," Laffitte said.
"But hopefully they won't have to do this every night because of weather delays."
We will provide live updates during the countdown and launch. Watch this page for the play-by-play reports!
1435 GMT (10:35 a.m. EDT)
The Launch Readiness Review meeting has just been concluded with officials giving final approval to proceed with tomorrow's liftoff of the Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket carrying a national security satellite. Liftoff remains scheduled for 7:06 p.m. EDT (2306 GMT).
The only concern is the weather. Forecasters have worsened the odds of acceptable conditions at launch time due to predicted thunderstorms in the Cape Canaveral area tomorrow. There is now a 70 percent chance of bad weather scrubbing the launch attempt. See the full forecast here.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2004
1315 GMT (9:15 a.m. EDT)
Today's updated launch weather forecast is available here.
1200 GMT (8 a.m. EDT)
The Atlas rocket is targeted for liftoff at 7:06 p.m. EDT (2306 GMT) Friday, officials have announced. That exact launch time had been kept a secret until 72 hours before liftoff as part of the classified nature of this mission.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2004
Air Force meteorologists today issued their first weather forecast for Friday evening's scheduled launch of Lockheed Martin's Atlas 2AS rocket carrying a classified national security spacecraft from Cape Canaveral. The weather outlook calls for a 60 percent chance that Florida's summertime thunderstorms will pose a problem. Read the full forecast here.
Launch will be possible sometime between 6 and 8 p.m. EDT (2200-0000 GMT). The real launch time is expected to be formally announced later today.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2004
With the repair work proceeding faster than anticipated, officials have moved up the target launch date to August 27.
TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2004
Launch of the final Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket is being delayed another four weeks so technicians can replace transistors inside an avionics unit as a precaution. Liftoff is now targeted for August 31 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The mission, which will deliver a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload into orbit, was originally set for June 30. But officials postponed the launch to allow the rocket's Remote Control Unit to be double-checked after two similar devices failed factory testing.
Even though the unit on the rocket passed its pre-launch checks, Lockheed Martin decided to remove the box and put it through additional tests to be safe. That delayed the mission four weeks to July 27.
But now officials say the tests might not catch all problems with charged particles affecting transistors in the Remote Control Unit. As a result, the transistors will be replaced with ones proven healthy before the Atlas 2AS rocket is cleared to fly at the end of August.
THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2004
Launch of a classified U.S. national security satellite aboard Lockheed Martin's final Atlas 2AS rocket is being retargeted for July 27 after a four-week delay to double-check a vital control unit on the booster.
Originally slated for liftoff June 30 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, the mission was put on hold when two Remote Control Units malfunctioned during factory testing.
"During Initial Acceptance Testing, two factory Remote Control Units (RCUs) experienced functional failures. The RCU is used to control several critical functions on the launch vehicle," program officials at the Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center told Spaceflight Now.
Although the device on the Atlas 2AS vehicle had passed its testing, Lockheed Martin and government mission managers opted to perform additional checks before proceeding with the launch.
"Lockheed Martin is developing an enhanced screening test to provide confidence that the AC-167 flight RCU will perform properly in flight," the Air Force says.
The rocket, which is known by its tail number as AC-167, is having its RCU removed at launch pad 36A for the precautionary checks at the factory.
"The flight RCU from AC-167 is being returned to the manufacturer to be subjected to the enhanced confidence test. After being subjected to this testing, the unit will be returned to the launch site, and installed and checked out on the AC-167 launch vehicle."
SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2004
Additional avionics testing will delay Wednesday night's scheduled launch of the final Atlas 2AS rocket to ensure the booster is defect-free, officials announced today.
A problem was discovered on another avionics unit in the factory, prompting the precautionary checks before the upcoming launch is allowed to proceed. A new target launch date has not been set.
"International Launch Services, rocket builder Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Air Force, and the customer, the National Reconnaissance Office, are working together on a closure plan for this concern and it is expected that in approximately one week a new launch date will be established," a launch statement said today.
The rocket will carry a classified National Reconnaissance Office spy satellite payload into space on the 30th and final flight of a Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS vehicle.
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2004
The final Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket passed its countdown dress rehearsal Tuesday as the technicians pumped super-cold fuel into the vehicle and practiced launch day scripts at Cape Canaveral's Complex 36.
The rocket is scheduled for launch on the evening of June 30 to deliver a hush-hush national security satellite cargo into Earth orbit.
Although the exact launch time is classified, officials say liftoff will occur sometime between 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. EDT (0230-0430 GMT July 1).
Ironically, the two-hour launch period covers the 96-minute make-or-break engine firing by NASA's Cassini space probe to enter orbit around Saturn. If that maneuver fails, the $3.3 million craft will sail past the ringed planet, dooming its planned four-year tour of Saturn and its many moons. The burn begins at 10:36 p.m. and ends at 12:12 a.m. EDT (0236-0412 GMT).
With Tuesday's rehearsal successfully completed with no problems reported, the payload will be hauled to pad 36A on Friday and mounted atop the rocket.
The payload's identity and purpose are classified. But the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, the government's spy satellite agency, will operate the craft.
This will be the 30th and last launch for the Atlas 2AS-model rocket since debuting in 1993. It is being retired in favor of the more-modern Atlas 5 family of boosters. The launch also represents the final Atlas liftoff scheduled from pad 36A after several decades of use.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2004
With its retirement looming on the horizon, Lockheed Martin's Atlas 2AS rocket kept its flawless success record alive and well Wednesday with the launch of a broadcasting satellite that will aid the expansion of high-definition TV programming across the United States. Read our full story
Additional coverage for subscribers:
 VIDEO:
ATLAS 2AS ROCKET LAUNCHES AMC-11 QT
VIDEO:
CAMERA ON LAUNCH PAD TOWER PROVIDES DRAMATIC VIEW QT
VIDEO:
PAYLOAD IS SUCCESSFULLY RELEASED FROM UPPER STAGE QT
VIDEO:
OFFICIALS MAKE CELEBRATORY SPEECHES AFTER LAUNCH QT
VIDEO:
SATELLITE AND ROCKET PRE-LAUNCH ACTIVITIES QT
VIDEO:
WATCH TUESDAY'S PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE QT
VIDEO:
NARRATED ATLAS/AMC-11 LAUNCH PREVIEW QT
VIDEO:
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AMC-11 SATELLITE QT
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The Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket launches from Cape Canaveral carryin the AMC-11 communications satellite. (4min 30sec file)
A camera mounted on the launch pad's umbilical tower captures this dramatic view of the Atlas 2AS rocket blasting off. (15sec file)
The AMC-11 cable television satellite is successfully deployed from the Centaur upper stage to complete the launch. (25sec file)
Mission officials hold the pre-launch news conference in Cape Canaveral on Tuesday, May 18 to preview the launch of AMC-11. (31min 12sec file)