BY JUSTIN RAY

Follow the countdown and launch of a Boeing Delta 2 rocket with NASA's Genesis solar wind sample return probe. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2001
2045 GMT (4:45 p.m. EDT)

Officials have rescheduled the Boeing Delta 2 launch of Genesis for Sunday, August 12 on the Air Force-controlled Eastern Range -- the vast network of tracking, communications and safety systems that is used by all Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center launches.

August 12 is the next open day on the Range following Monday's planned 3:28 a.m. EDT launch of an Air Force Titan 4B rocket carrying a missile-warning satellite and Thursday's 5:38 p.m. EDT liftoff of space shuttle Discovery. Both missions have backup days booked on the Range for second launch attempts. A day is also needed between the launches to reconfigured the Range to support the different vehicle.

NASA and Boeing today reserved August 12 and 13 on the Range for the Genesis mission, but are keeping open the option of moving up the launch if the Range becomes available sooner.

Officials had discussed the possibility of bumping the shuttle in favor of trying Genesis first, but the deal wasn't approved. However, the shuttle might move out of Genesis' way in the end.

Sources said late this afternoon that a concern had arisen with the hydraulic steering system for the shuttle solid rocket boosters that could potentially require launch-delaying work on Discovery if the problem turns out to be significant. Engineers are studying the issue and no decisions have been made. See our full story.

Meanwhile, the Genesis program now says that the summertime window of opportunity to launch the solar-wind catching probe will be extended by one day to August 15. If the craft isn't off the ground by then, the launch will have to be delayed until December when conditions are again right for the three-year flight to begin.

The Titan 4B launch itself is running behind schedule. It was due to fly on July 27, but was delayed due to concerns with the second stage guidance control unit. Technicians were planning to replace the unit, however, later analysis determined the suspect data seen from the system was actually acceptable for flight. The box was buttoned up and the vehicle cleared for launch. See our Titan launch coverage.

Forecasters say there is a 70 percent chance of good weather for the Titan during its four-hour launch window.

1612 GMT (12:12 p.m. EDT)

SCRUB! Launch of the Genesis spacecraft aboard the Boeing Delta 2 rocket has been scrubbed for today. The weather is simply not acceptable for a safe launch. The clouds over the pad are too thick and there is rain in the vehicle's flight path.

When another launch attempt will be made is not yet known. The Eastern Range that provides tracking, communications and safety services to all Cape Canaveral launches is unavailable for the next several days due to Monday's predawn liftoff of a Titan 4B rocket.

NASA managers are discussing the possibility of squeezing in another Genesis launch attempt on Wednesday with a backup try on Thursday, sources say. Space shuttle Discovery is scheduled for launch on Thursday, but officials appear willing to consider pushing back the mission to allow Genesis more shots at getting off the ground.

Genesis must be launched by August 14 or else wait until December when conditions will be right again for its three-year, 20 million mile voyage to collect samples of the solar wind for return to Earth.

1609 GMT (12:09 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 4 minutes and holding. Clocks have entered the final planned hold for today's countdown. Launch Weather Officer Johnny Weems just reported the conditions are "no go" due to the thick cloud and flight through precipitation rule and little chance of improvement for today's launch attempt. Boeing Mission Director Rich Murphy appears inclined to call a scrub momentarily.

At this point, there are no technical problems with the Delta rocket, Genesis spacecraft or ground systems.

1604 GMT (12:04 p.m. EDT)

The first stage fuel tank vent is being closed and the tank is being pressurized for launch. And the third stage and spacecraft safe and arm devices are being armed.

1603 GMT (12:03 p.m. EDT)

Now 20 minutes away from the scheduled launch time. Thick clouds and flight through precipitation remain "no go".

1558 GMT (11:58 a.m. EDT)

Inhibited checks are now underway for the Range Safety command destruct receivers that would be used in destroying the Delta rocket should the vehicle veer off course and malfunction during the launch.

1553 GMT (11:53 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 20 minutes and counting. The planned hold in the countdown has been released. Clocks will now tick down to T-minus 4 minutes when the final hold is planned.

1550 GMT (11:50 a.m. EDT)

The launch team has been polled by Boeing Launch Conductor George Stout for a "go" to proceed with the countdown. Boeing Mission Director Rich Murphy and NASA Launch Manager Omar Baez also polled their respective teams. No technical problems were reported. Clocks are due to resume at 11:53 a.m.

1543 GMT (11:43 a.m. EDT)

Launch Weather Officer Johnny Weems reports the weather reconnaissance aircraft is looking at the cloud conditions. Cloud thickness cannot be 4,500 feet or greater. If the clouds over the pad turn out to the be layered and not connected, then the thick cloud rule wouldn't be violated.

Also, the aircraft will be checking for rain around the Complex 17 area. At this point, the radar isn't showing anything. The flight through precipitation is the other launch rule that is a concern currently. There is some rain that is moving in the direction of the Cape that could be a constraint for launch time, however.

1533 GMT (11:33 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 20 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered a planned 20-minute built-in hold. This pause is designed to give the launch team a chance to work any problems or catch up on activities that might be running behind schedule. At this point, there are no technical issues being reported, but the weather remains "no go" due to violation of the thick cloud and flight through precipitation rules.

1523 GMT (11:23 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 30 minutes and counting. The countdown rolls on at Cape Canaveral with one hour from the planned launch time. There is a 20-minute planned built-in hold upcoming at T-minus 20 minutes, then a 10-minute, 53-second hold at T-minus 4 minutes.

The launch team will soon begin the "slew" or steering checks of the first and second stage engines. These tests are gimbal checks of the nozzles on the first stage main engine and twin vernier engines and second stage engine to ensure the engines will be able to steer the rocket during launch.

And in the next few minutes RF link tests between the Range and rocket are scheduled.

1505 GMT (11:05 a.m. EDT)

The Delta 2 rocket's first stage liquid oxygen tank has been topped off at 100 percent. The tank will be replenished through the remainder of the countdown to replace the cryogenic liquid oxygen that naturally boils away. It took 25 minutes, 45 seconds to load the LOX tank today, with the tanking completed at 11:05:12 a.m. EDT.

Weather officials report the cumulus cloud rule is now "go" for launch. However, the thick cloud rule and flight through precipitation remain "no go" at this time.

1459 GMT (10:59 a.m. EDT)

Now exactly 20 minutes into the liquid oxygen loading operation. The "rapid load" phase of filling the tank will continue over the next couple of minutes to the 95-percent level before the slower "fine load" begins to reach the 99-percent mark, which is then followed by topping off the tank to 100 percent.

1456 GMT (10:56 a.m. EDT)

The liquid oxygen tanking process for the Delta 2 rocket's first stage continues. The normal layer of thin ice and frost is forming on the bottom half of the Delta 2 rocket where the liquid oxygen tank is located.

1453 GMT (10:53 a.m. EDT)

Today's two-minute launch window for the Delta 2 rocket with Genesis opens 90 minutes from now. Weather remains gloomy at Cape Canaveral, however.

1442 GMT (10:42 a.m. EDT)

Super-cold liquid oxygen, chilled to Minus-298 degrees F, is being pumped into the first stage of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket as the countdown continues for today's launch attempt. The liquid oxygen is flowing from a storage tank at pad 17A, through plumbing and into the bottom of the rocket. The LOX and the RP-1 kerosene fuel loaded aboard the vehicle early this morning will be guzzled by the first stage main engine during the initial four-and-a-half minutes of flight.

1430 GMT (10:30 a.m. EDT)

The latest check on the weather shows the thick cloud, cumulus cloud and flight through precipitation rules are currently being violated.

The launch time forecast is still calling for just a 10 percent chance of acceptable weather. Conditions are expected to include scattered clouds at 3,000, broken at 11,000 and broken at 25,000 feet, visibility of 7 miles, easterly winds from 110 degrees at 10 gusting to 15 knots, a temperature of 82 degrees F and showers in the area.

1400 GMT (10:00 a.m. EDT)

Clocks are ticking down at Cape Canaveral this morning for the possible liftoff of the Genesis probe atop a Boeing Delta 2 rocket at 12:23:53 p.m. EDT today. However, the weather remains unfavorable at this time.

Activities in this early portion of Terminal Count include the pressurization of helium and nitrogen storage tanks inside the rocket's first and second stages, along with the second stage fuel and oxidizer tanks. Also, the Delta's onboard guidance computer -- called the Redundant Inertial Flight Control Assembly or RIFCA -- is turned on and configured for the mission.

Loading of the first stage liquid oxygen tank is slated to begin at about 10:38 a.m. EDT.

1323 GMT (9:23 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 150 minutes. The Terminal Countdown begins at this time for the launch of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket and NASA's Genesis spacecraft. Over the next three hours, the launch team will prep the rocket, payload and ground support systems for the planned 12:23:53 p.m. EDT (1623:53 GMT) liftoff from pad 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Weather remains the main problem today. Conditions are currently "no go" for launch due to thick clouds and rain in the rocket's flight path.

1249 GMT (8:49 a.m. EDT)

The 12-story mobile service tower has been rolled away from the Boeing Delta 2 rocket, exposing the vehicle as preparations continue for today's launch opportunity. Weather forecasters, however, are predicting a 90 percent chance conditions will prohibit liftoff during the launch window of 12:23:53 to 12:25:53 p.m. EDT. Nonetheless, officials say they will press ahead with the countdown in hopes of some relief from the weather.

It is unclear when Genesis might get another shot at launching after today because of other missions on the Range at Cape Canaveral. Contrary to NASA's report yesterday saying the Range was available on Saturday, the next attempt for Genesis beyond today won't come until at least the middle of next week after the scheduled Titan 4B rocket launch.

1230 GMT (8:30 a.m. EDT)

Before the launch can occur today workers must first get the mobile service tower retracted from around the Delta 2 rocket at launch pad 17A. The rollback was slated to occur about two hours ago but was delayed to keep the vehicle shielded from this morning's rainy weather. However, technicians are now finally ready to roll the massive metal cocoon away from the rocket in the next few minutes.

1223 GMT (8:23 a.m. EDT)

Countdown clocks at Cape Canaveral have entered a planned hour-long built-in hold at the T-minus 150 minute mark for today's attempt to launch the Boeing Delta 2 rocket with Genesis.

1130 GMT (7:30 a.m. EDT)

NASA will make one last try today to launch its Genesis mission -- despite a miserable weather forecast -- before standing down to make way for the launch of a U.S. Air Force Titan 4B rocket on Monday.

The countdown is proceeding cautiously this morning because of the threat of rain squalls. Launch pad workers will delay retraction of the protective gantry around the rocket as late as possible.

Liftoff is scheduled at the opening of a two minute launch window at 12:23:53 p.m. EDT (1623:53 GMT), but mission managers were briefed this morning by weather officer Johnny Weems that there was only a one-in-ten chance that the Delta 2 would get off the ground today because of wet and windy weather kicked up by tropical storm Barry which is swirling in the Gulf of Mexico.

NASA had earlier said it could make another launch attempt on Saturday, when the weather looked more promising. However officials have now been told that tracking and safety facilities at Cape Canaveral need to be reconfigured on Saturday to support the launch of the Titan 4B on Monday. The outlook is further complicated because of Thursday's planned launch of shuttle Discovery.

NASA spokesman Joel Wells said mission officials are reviewing their options for additional attempts beyond today.

The space agency must launch Genesis on its 20-million mile, three-year journey to collect samples of the solar wind by August 14 or it will have to wait until December for the opening of the next launch window.

1052 GMT (6:52 a.m. EDT)

Today's launch attempt might be the Genesis mission's last chance for a while because tracking and safety facilities at Cape Canaveral will be reconfigured tomorrow for the launch of a U.S. Air Force Titan 4B rocket on Monday, NASA spokesman Joel Wells has said.

With the next launch opportunity uncertain because of the upcoming Titan and shuttle launches, the space agency decided to make an attempt today despite the fact forecasters are giving the Delta 2 rocket only a one-in-ten chance of getting off the launch pad today.

Tower rollback will occur as late as possible this morning because of the threat of rain squalls.

1039 GMT (6:39 a.m. EDT)

According to Boeing officials, preparations are proceeding at Cape Canaveral for today's planned launch of NASA's Genesis probe atop a Delta 2 rocket, although mission managers are keeping a close watch on the weather and will review the situation later this morning.

Liftoff is currently scheduled for 12:23:53 p.m. EDT (1623:53 GMT).

NASA has until August 14 to launch Genesis on its 20-million mile, three-year journey to collect samples of the solar wind for return to scientists on Earth or it will have to wait until December for the next launch window to open.

If the Delta doesn't get off the ground today it may prove difficult to reschedule the launch in the coming week because the safety and tracking facilities at Cape Canaveral are already booked for upcoming Titan 4 and space shuttle launches.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2001
2130 GMT (5:30 p.m. EDT)

NASA says officials have cancelled tonight's planned 10 p.m. EDT weather briefing and will allow routine pre-flight work to go forward overnight as scheduled in support of a possible launch attempt at 12:23:53 p.m. EDT Friday. However, a weather review will occur at 5:45 a.m. EDT to allow managers to make a formal decision whether it is worthwhile to continue with the countdown to launch.

Activities overnight at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's launch pad 17A will include loading the Boeing Delta 2 rocket's first stage fuel tank with RP-1, a highly refined kerosene, beginning at about 2 a.m. EDT. Workers will also prepare the mobile service tower for retraction from around the rocket. The tower removal will happen at around 6:30 a.m., assuming officials decide to press ahead with the launch attempt.

Air Force meteorologists are predicting a 70 percent chance thick clouds, rain and thunderstorms will prohibit liftoff during Friday's two-minute launch window. The weather is wrapped around the newly-formed Tropical Storm Barry that is spinning in the Gulf of Mexico off the west coast of Florida.

The forecast improves to a 40 percent chance of bad weather on Saturday as Barry moves further away from Florida.

Saturday is scheduled to be the final day to launch Genesis until at least the middle of next week, NASA says, because a Titan 4B rocket that is slated for launch early Monday carrying a missile-warning satellite for the U.S. military from Cape Canaveral. The Titan also has a backup launch opportunity available on Tuesday if needed. Both launches require support of the Eastern Range, which provides communications, tracking and safety services. The Range can support one launch roughly every 24 hours.

Space shuttle Discovery is also scheduled for launch next Thursday. However, NASA might be willing to slip the shuttle mission to squeeze in additional tries for Genesis, which has to fly by August 14 or else be delayed until December when conditions will be right again for its 20-million mile, three-year journey to collect samples of the solar wind for return to scientists on Earth.

For now, officials hope a hole will open up in the weather to allow Genesis to depart Earth in the next day or two. But if the probe remains grounded it remains to be seen what Genesis officials could negotiate with the Air Force and space shuttle program to get more launch attempts.

Today's launch opportunity was called off more than six hours before liftoff time due to strong winds at the pad that prevented rollback of the mobile service tower and the overall poor weather forecast.

1028 GMT (6:28 a.m. EDT)

Faced with little chance for a break in the weather today, officials have decided to scrub the launch of Genesis for another 24 hours. Forecasters were calling for thick clouds, showers, thunderstorms and high winds during today's launch window. Liftoff is tentatively rescheduled for Friday at 12:23:53 p.m. EDT.

The tropical wave covering much of Florida has brought the clouds and rain to the Cape Canaveral area. The conditions are expected to linger for at least another day or two.

Officials will meet at 10 p.m. EDT tonight to decide whether to proceed with another launch attempt on Friday, a NASA spokesman says.

0245 GMT (10:45 p.m. EDT Wed.)

Launch managers meeting tonight have half-heartedly rescheduled the Genesis launch for Thursday at 12:27:09 p.m. EDT (1627:09 GMT). Given the dismal weather forecast -- an 80 percent chance conditions will violate launch weather rules -- officials decided to continue with pre-flight work at the launch pad overnight only to review the situation again in the morning.

A meeting is planned for 5:45 a.m. EDT (0945 GMT) to make a final decision whether to continue with countdown activities, including retraction of the mobile service tower from around the Delta 2 rocket, or scrap the launch attempt altogether and delay the mission until Friday. We'll update this page when the decision is made.

Wednesday's launch attempt was scrubbed at T-minus 4 minutes because clouds over Cape Canaveral were too thick for the Boeing Delta 2 rocket to safely fly through. Thunderstorm anvil clouds just a few miles away from pad 17A were also a concern during the countdown.

The forecast for Thursday calls for clouds, rain and thunderstorms in the Cape region courtesy of a passing tropical wave. Air Force meteorologists expect conditions to improve on Friday.

Genesis was supposed to have launched on Monday but worries over power converters on the craft's star tracker navigational devices forced a two-day postponement. The trouble arose when an identical DC-to-DC power converter failed simulated space radiation testing for a European Space Agency satellite.

The failure forced Genesis builder Lockheed Martin to run additional tests on spare converters to double-check that the units installed on the solar wind-catching probe could withstand the doses radiation and still operate successfully.

"We convinced ourselves that everything is great," Genesis Project Manager Chet Sasaki said Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2001
1825 GMT (2:25 p.m. EDT)

Officials have decided to defer a final decision until 10 p.m. tonight on whether to proceed with another launch attempt tomorrow. For now, activities will continue in support of making another try at launching the Delta 2 rocket at 12:27:09 p.m. EDT tomorrow. However, given the bleak weather forecast officials want to get together this evening to take another look at the latest predictions before determining if it is worth pressing ahead. If the weather looks hopeless then the launch will scrubbed until Friday.

Tomorrow's launch time forecast calls for just a 20 percent chance of acceptable conditions with scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, scattered to broken clouds at 11,000 and scattered clouds at 25,000 feet, visibility of 7 miles, easterly winds from 100 degrees at 8 gusting to 12 knots, a temperature of 85 degrees F and showers and thunderstorms in the area.

The weather on Friday is better with a 60 percent chance of acceptable conditions.

We'll be here with complete live coverage whenever the launch happens. And watch this page for an update as soon as the decision is made tonight.

1635 GMT (12:35 p.m. EDT)

Launch of the Genesis spacecraft aboard the Boeing Delta 2 rocket has postponed at least 24 hours. However, officials will decide later today whether to press ahead with another launch attempt on Thursday or wait until Friday. The weather forecast is quite gloomy for Thursday with just a 20 percent chance of meeting the launch weather rules. Meteorologists expect better weather on Friday. See our chart with the available launch windows.

Meanwhile, the launch team will spend the afternoon safing the rocket including work to drain the first stage of its liquid oxygen and RP-1 fuel.

Today's launch attempt was officially scrubbed at 12:29 p.m. EDT. NASA officials had called a scrub a few minutes prior to that time. However, the Boeing team is in charge of the final "go/no go" decision and was still considering resuming the countdown in hopes of lifting off at the end of the two-minute window if the weather might somehow have improved. But in the end Boeing Mission Director Rich Murphy called the scrub just seconds before the countdown would have needed to be restarted for launch at 12:33:38 p.m. EDT. The cloud conditions over Cape Canaveral were simply unacceptable today and not going to change in just a few minutes time.

1630 GMT (12:30 p.m. EDT)

The launch team is now discussing when to reschedule the next attempt. The weather forecast for tomorrow is even worse with an 80 percent chance clouds, rainshowers and thunderstorms would scrub the launch. Tomorrow's launch window extends from 12:27:09 to 12:29:09 p.m. EDT.

1629 GMT (12:29 p.m. EDT)

SCRUB! Weather is just not going to cooperate today. Today's launch attempt has been scrubbed due to clouds over Cape Canaveral. The countdown will not resume from the T-minus 4 minute mark.

1626 GMT (12:26 p.m. EDT)

The thick cloud rule remains "no go". However, Boeing is preparing to pick the up the countdown and target the end of today's two-minute window. The count will be stopped in a safe manner with about a minute left if the weather remains unacceptable, which meteorologists expect.

1625 GMT (12:25 p.m. EDT)

NASA Launch Manager Omar Baez has called a scrub due to the weather. Waiting on further word from the Boeing team on the fate of this countdown.

1624 GMT (12:24 p.m. EDT)

The launch team has been polled by Boeing Launch Conductor George Stout with no problems reported except for the weather. Launch Weather Officer Johnny Weems says conditions are "no go" due to violation of the thick cloud rule.

1623 GMT (12:23 p.m. EDT)

NASA Launch Manager Omar Baez has polled his team and verified the space agency is ready from a technical point of view to proceed with the countdown for the launch of Genesis. The weather, however, is still out of limits.

1621 GMT (12:21 p.m. EDT)

Now 10 minutes away from the scheduled launch time. Weather remains "no go" for launch due to clouds.

1619 GMT (12:19 p.m. EDT)

Boeing Mission Director Rich Murphy has conducted his management poll. No technical problems were reported with the Delta 2 rocket. Weather is still the only constraint at this time.

1617 GMT (12:17 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 4 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered the final planned hold point for today's launch attempt. During this planned 10-minute, 38-second hold, officials will poll the various team members behind the scenes, in the "soft blockhouse", Range Operations Control Center and Mission Directors Center. If all systems are "go" and the weather improves, the countdown will resume for liftoff at 12:31:38 p.m. EDT.

The weather reconnaissance aircraft continues its work looking at clouds 5 and 10 nautical miles from the pad. And next it will examine a cirrus cloud layer over the pad.

1612 GMT (12:12 p.m. EDT)

The first stage fuel tank vent is being closed and the tank is being pressurized for launch. And the third stage and spacecraft safe and arm devices are being armed.

1611 GMT (12:11 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 10 minutes and counting. The countdown is heading to T-minus 4 minutes for a 10-minute, 38-second planned hold. Liftoff the Boeing Delta 2 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is still slated to occur at 12:31:38 p.m. EDT. However, weather remains "no go" at this time. Meteorologists are watching the situation in hopes the cloud problem will improve over the next 20 minutes.

For this launch, the Boeing model 7326-9.5 Delta 2 rocket is being used. The expendable launch vehicle consists of three stages, three strap-on solid rocket boosters and a 9.5-foot diameter payload fairing. The rocket stands 126 feet tall. It marks the third time a Delta 2 will fly in this configuration following the NASA Deep Space 1 and IMAGE launches. See the rocket fact sheet for more.

1606 GMT (12:06 p.m. EDT)

Inhibited checks are now under way of the Range Safety command destruct receivers that would be used in destroying the Delta rocket should a problem arise during the launch.

1601 GMT (12:01 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 20 minutes and counting. The countdown is running again. Clocks will go down to T-minus 4 minutes when the final hold is planned.

1557 GMT (11:57 a.m. EDT)

The launch team has been polled by Boeing Launch Conductor George Stout for a "go" to proceed with the countdown. No technical problems were reported. Clocks are due to resume at 12:01 p.m.

1555 GMT (11:55 a.m. EDT)

NASA Launch Manager Omar Baez has polled his team for a "go" to continue with the countdown. No problems were reported by the NASA team. The only issue at this point is the weather, which is currently "no go" due to an anvil cloud too close to the launch pad.

1551 GMT (11:51 a.m. EDT)

Now half-way through this scheduled 20-minute hold in the countdown. The weather reconnaissance aircraft is aloft and interrogating the clouds around Cape Canaveral today. The aircraft will be a vital tool in determining conditions will be acceptable for launch of the Delta 2 rocket with Genesis today at 12:31:38 p.m. EDT.

1541 GMT (11:41 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 20 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered a planned 20-minute built-in hold. This pause is designed to give the launch team a chance to work any problems or catch up on activities that might be running behind schedule. At this point there are no technical issues being reported, but the weather is iffy at best. The weather is still "no go" at present due to violation of the anvil cloud rule -- a thunderstorm cloud top has drifted within 15 miles of the pad.

The launch time forecast is calling for a 40 percent chance of acceptable conditions with scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, broken clouds at 11,000 and 25,000 feet, visibility of 7 miles, easterly winds from 090 degrees at 8 to 10 knots and a temperature of 82 degrees F.

1531 GMT (11:31 a.m. EDT)

Now one hour from the scheduled liftoff time.

In the countdown the "slew" or steering checks of the first and second stage engines will be performed at this time. These tests are gimbal checks of the nozzles on the first stage main engine and twin vernier engines and second stage engine to ensure the engines will be able to steer the rocket during launch.

And in the next few minutes RF link tests between the Range and rocket are scheduled.

1521 GMT (11:21 a.m. EDT)

The Delta rocket is fully fueled for its scheduled liftoff 70 minutes from now. The vehicle's first stage was loaded with RP-1 kerosene fuel early this morning and liquid oxygen over the past hour. The second stage was loaded with its storable nitrogen tetroxide and Aerozine 50 fuels last Friday; and the third stage and strap-on booster rockets are solid-propellant.

The countdown currently stands at T-minus 40 minutes. There is a 20-minute hold upcoming at T-minus 20 minutes, then a 10-minute, 38-second hold at T-minus 4 minutes.

At present the weather is "no go" for launch due to an anvil cloud -- the top of a thunderstorm -- that is too close to the pad. It must be at 15 miles away for the Delta 2 to be cleared for liftoff.

Upper level winds remain acceptable for launch. Weather balloons being released periodically from the Cape are showing conditions aloft are within limits for the vehicle's controls, structural loads and fairing clearances.

1512 GMT (11:12 a.m. EDT)

The Delta 2 rocket's first stage liquid oxygen tank has been topped off at 100 percent. The tank will be replenished through the remainder of the countdown to replace the liquid oxygen that naturally boils away.

1507 GMT (11:07 a.m. EDT)

Now 20 minutes into the liquid oxygen tanking. The "rapid load" phase of filling the tank will continue over the next couple of minutes to the 95-percent level before the slower "fine load" begins to reach the 99-percent mark, which is then followed by topping off the tank to 100 percent.

1501 GMT (11:01 a.m. EDT)

Liftoff of the Delta 2 rocket with Genesis is now 90 minutes away. The current weather conditions have just gone "red" or "no go" for launch. There is an anvil cloud within 15 miles, which is a constraint. Overall, forecasters are saying there is a 60 percent chance weather with prohibit launch today.

1452 GMT (10:52 a.m. EDT)

Now five minutes into this approximate 25-minute liquid oxygen tanking process. The normal layer of thin ice and frost is forming on the bottom half of the Delta 2 rocket's first stage where the liquid oxygen tank is located. The countdown is progressing smoothly toward an on-time launch today at 12:31:38 p.m. EDT. The weather -- although cloudy -- is currently acceptable for liftoff.

1447 GMT (10:47 a.m. EDT)

Super-cold liquid oxygen, chilled to Minus-298 degrees F, is now flowing from a storage tank at pad 17A, through plumbing and into the bottom of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket. The LOX will be guzzled by the first stage main engine along with RP-1 kerosene loaded aboard the vehicle early this morning.

1441 GMT (10:41 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 80 minutes and counting. Preparations are now beginning for cryogenic tanking. The launch team will verify valves are in the correct positions before liquid oxygen begins flowing.

Meanwhile, the Air Force has verified there are no Collision Avoidance periods, or COLAs, that would prohibit liftoff during any portion of today's two-minute launch window. COLAs are periods when a rocket can't be launched because it would pass too close to an object already orbiting Earth.

1436 GMT (10:36 a.m. EDT)

NASA Launch Manager Omar Baez has just polled his team for a "go" to begin loading liquid oxygen into the Delta rocket's first stage, expected to commence in about 10 minutes. No problems were reported. Baez said the weather is looking good right now and the upper level winds are forecast to be acceptable for the launch window.

1433 GMT (10:33 a.m. EDT)

Launch Weather Officer Johnny Weems just gave an update to officials on current conditions and the forecast. Air Force meteorologists are continuing to watch cloudiness over Central Florida but the weather situation isn't as negative as had been feared.

At this point all the weather criteria is "go" for launch, but Weems is now predicting a 40 percent chance of acceptable conditions at the 12:31:38 p.m. EDT liftoff time. The percentage is better than the number given yesterday, which was only a 20 percent chance of favorable weather.

The weather reconnaissance aircraft will be dispatched in about an hour to provide real-time updates for launch.

1400 GMT (10:00 a.m. EDT)

The countdown continues at Cape Canaveral for today's launch. Officials are watching the weather closely, which remains very iffy. Thick clouds are the main concern for liftoff at 12:31:38 p.m. EDT, the opening of a two-minute launch window.

The Genesis spacecraft arrived in Florida on May 31. It was taken to the Payload Hazardous in Kennedy Space Center's Industrial Area for a series of final testing, fueling and attachment to the third stage of the Delta rocket.

Stacking of the Delta 2 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's launch pad 17A began on June 12 when the first stage was erected. The three solid rocket motors were added on June 13. The second stage was hoisted into the tower and mated to the vehicle on June 15.

The combined Genesis/third stage was moved to the launch pad on July 19 to join the rest of the Delta 2. The protective nose cone was installed around Genesis on July 25.

1331 GMT (9:31 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 150 minutes and counting. The Terminal Countdown has begun for the launch of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket and NASA's Genesis probe. Over the next three hours, the launch team will ready the three-stage rocket, payload and ground support systems for the planned 12:31:38 p.m. EDT (1631:38 GMT) liftoff from pad 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

With the countdown underway, the Complex 17 area will be cleared of workers as a safety precaution. A warning horn will be sounded at the seaside complex to alert personnel to depart and head back to road blocks.

Upcoming in the next few minutes, launch team members in the Delta Operations Building, or "soft blockhouse", located about eight miles west of the pad will oversee the pressurization of helium and nitrogen storage tanks inside the rocket's first and second stages, along with the second stage fuel and oxidizer tanks. In addition, the Delta's onboard guidance computer -- called the Redundant Inertial Flight Control Assembly or RIFCA -- will be turned on and configured for the mission.

1055 GMT (6:55 a.m. EDT)

The 12-story mobile service tower enclosing the Boeing Delta 2 rocket at Cape Canaveral's pad 17A has been retracted for today's planned 12:31:38 p.m. EDT liftoff.

The metal cocoon-like structure is used to assemble the Delta 2 on the seaside pad, as well as providing workers access to all reaches on the vehicle and weather protection for the rocket. Rollback of the tower is a major milestone on the road to prepare for launch.

Workers will now get the tower secured into its launch position and configure the pad for liftoff. The Terminal Countdown remains scheduled to begin at 9:31 a.m. EDT.

Earlier this morning the crews loaded the rocket's first stage with RP-1 kerosene fuel as planned. The fueling was performed before retraction of the mobile service tower as a measure to weight down the relatively light rocket that has only three strap-on solid rocket motors vs. the usual nine. The extra weight of the nearly 10,000 gallons of fuel will give the vehicle more stability now that it is exposed on the launch pad.

Looking ahead to some of the key events today: Launch officials will take their positions on console shortly after 8 a.m., and the countdown clock will pause for 60 minutes at the T-minus 150 minute mark at 8:31 a.m. The clocks are scheduled to begin ticking down at 9:31 a.m. EDT, signaling the start of the Terminal Countdown. The loading of cryogenic liquid oxygen into the first stage is expected to commence at about 10:45 a.m.

Two built-in holds are planned during Terminal Count. The first will occur at T-minus 20 minutes for a duration of 20 minutes; the second happens at T-minus 4 minutes and should last 10 minutes, 38 seconds to synch up with the opening of the launch window at 12:31:38 a.m. EDT.

1015 GMT (6:15 a.m. EDT)

All systems are go for launch of Genesis today! Officials have made the decision to proceed with liftoff at 12:31:38 p.m. EDT. No problems have occurred in the additional testing of power supply components like the ones on the Genesis space probe, clearing the way for liftoff just over six hours from now.

At launch pad 17A the Delta 2 rocket's first stage has been loaded with RP-1 fuel. Preparations are now underway to roll back the mobile service tower.

The only concern heading into the countdown is the weather. Forecasters calling for an 80 percent chance thick clouds will scrub today's launch attempt.

TUESDAY, JULY 31, 2001

Preparations are continuing for Wednesday's planned launch of the Genesis spacecraft aboard a Boeing Delta 2 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The two-minute launch window extends from precisely 12:31:38 to 12:33:38 p.m. EDT.

Mission managers are planning to hold a 5:30 a.m. meeting Wednesday to review results of testing performed on DC-to-DC power converters identical to the ones in Genesis' star trackers. The tests, which began Monday night at Lockheed Martin's facilities in Denver, are being conducted to see if the units can successfully withstand higher amounts of radiation than the converters on Genesis should ever experience in space. If the tests conclude satisfactorily early tomorrow, officials will then give a green light to the lunchtime blastoff.

However, if further work is deemed necessary -- like wrapping Genesis' star trackers with extra protection material -- then the launch will be delayed again.

This problem arose after such converters recently failed radiation testing on another satellite in Paris, prompting NASA officials to delay Genesis' launch to run more tests to restore confidence in the converters on the solar wind-capturing probe.

Even though the final decision on whether to proceed with the launch attempt won't be made until around 6 a.m., crews at launch pad 17A will be pressing ahead with scheduled pre-flight activities overnight. Chores include loading the rocket's first stage with a highly refined kerosene fuel called RP-1 and readying the pad's mobile service tower for retraction from around the vehicle. The tower rollback is slated for 6:30 a.m.

Meanwhile, the weather forecast for Wednesday's launch attempt is not promising. Air Force meteorologists are calling for just a 20 percent chance conditions will permit the Delta 2 to fly. Clouds, rainshowers and thunderstorms are all in the forecast.

Spaceflight Now will have a full update following the management team meeting in the morning as soon as information is available. And we will provide comprehensive live coverage of the launch beginning with the start of the countdown at 9:31 a.m. EDT and continuing through the entire 64-minute flight of this 287th Delta rocket.

MONDAY, JULY 30, 2001

Launch of NASA's Genesis solar wind sample return probe has been delayed until at least Wednesday while tests are performed to ensure power supply components on the craft will operate successfully once in space.

Genesis was grounded as a precaution after DC-to-DC power converters on an unrelated European Space Agency satellite failed space radiation testing in a recent factory test. Genesis uses the same type of converter in the power supply system for its two star tracker navigational devices.

Engineers are now running tests on about a half-dozen spare power converters to determine if the two units installed on Genesis are healthy. Checks on another batch of converters completed Sunday night didn't reveal any problems.

"We feel confident that the components on the spacecraft will meet the mission requirements," said Chet Sasaki, Genesis project manager from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

"The testing being done at Lockheed Martin in Denver will subject the components to higher doses of radiation than they would normally be expected to see in space. We anticipate the tests will give us confidence that the Genesis spacecraft has adequate margins."

The testing is due to be completed around 4 a.m. EDT Wednesday at which point managers will determine if Genesis can be launched "as is" without any modification work. If Genesis is cleared for flight the liftoff would occur on Wednesday at 12:31:38 p.m. EDT. However, if the converters on the probe have to replaced or more work is required then the launch will be further delayed.

NASA has until August 14 to get Genesis off the ground in this current launch window. The next period when conditions will be right for the launch doesn't open until December.

The weather forecast for Wednesday calls for only a 40 percent chance of acceptable conditions due to clouds, rainshowers and thunderstorms in the area.

1734 GMT (1:34 p.m. EDT)

NASA officials have just announced the launch of Genesis aboard a Boeing Delta 2 rocket will be delayed another day while work continues to understand a problem with an electrical component similar to one on the probe. Liftoff is now planned for no sooner than Wednesday during a window of 12:31:38 to 12:33:38 p.m. EDT. We'll have a full update as soon as more information is available.

0148 GMT (9:48 p.m. EDT Sun.)

Concerns have been raised with a power supply component in the star tracker navigation device aboard NASA's Genesis spacecraft, which has caused officials to scrub Monday's launch attempt. The issue came up after a similar component failed space environmental testing on the ground to simulate the conditions the hardware will experience in orbit.

Engineers are now sorting through paperwork and documents to determine if the component that failed in the factory shares any history with the device on Genesis.

"This is a paper chase to make sure everything on Genesis is OK," NASA spokesman George Diller said.

The records review will continue tomorrow before officials determine if it is safe to fly Genesis. Assuming the component on Genesis is deemed good, liftoff could occur as early as Tuesday during an available launch window of 12:32:34 to 12:34:34 p.m. EDT (1632:34-1634:34 GMT).

The weather forecast for Tuesday calls for a 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions. The only threats will be rainshowers and thunderstorms moving too close to the Boeing Delta 2 rocket's launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Genesis has until August 14 to be launched or else the probe must wait until December when conditions will again be right for its journey to a point million miles from Earth. At that spot, called L1, the Lockheed Martin-built craft will circle for two-and-a-half years to gather bits of the solar wind.

The solar wind is the stream of invisible charged particles that flow from the Sun. Genesis will return a collection of 10 to 20 micrograms of solar wind to Earth in September 2004 for scientists to examine in hopes of determining the exact composition of our star and yielding clues about the birth of our solar system.

"The samples that Genesis returns will show us the composition of the original solar nebula that formed the planets, asteroids, comets and the Sun we know today," said Chet Sasaki, the Genesis project manager from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Genesis will be the fifth probe launched in NASA's Discovery program of low-cost solar system exploration following NEAR Shoemaker, Mars Pathfinder, Lunar Prospector and Stardust. Construction of the Genesis spacecraft and mission operation costs total $209 million.

SUNDAY, JULY 29, 2001
2233 GMT (6:33 p.m. EDT)

SCRUB! Tomorrow's planned launch of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket with NASA's Genesis spacecraft has been postponed by at least 24 hours. Officials are reporting a technical concern with Genesis has forced the delay. We are awaiting further details on the exact nature of the problem. We'll update this page as soon as more information becomes available.

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2001

A NASA space probe that will collect samples of the solar wind for return to Earth begins its journey on Monday with launch atop a Boeing Delta 2 rocket from Cape Canaveral.

Liftoff of the Genesis spacecraft is scheduled for 12:36:01 p.m. EDT (1636:01 GMT) at the opening of a two-minute window.

Weather forecasters are calling for an 80 percent chance of acceptable conditions with the only concerns being showers and isolated thunderstorms in the area.

"Upper level ridge is expected to be located over the Southeastern U.S. with the surface ridge axis across North Florida. This will produce drier than normal upper level conditions and low level easterly flow aloft across the local area on Monday. Isolated thunderstorm activity is expected to form inland and move westward. A trough developing along the eastern U.S. coast early next week will enhance development of a disturbance southeast of the Florida peninsula, thus delay forecasts are more pessimistic," said Launch Weather Officer Johnny Weems.

The launch time forecast calls for clouds at 3,000 and 28,000 feet, visibility of 7 miles, southeasterly winds from 120 degrees at 5 to 8 knots, a temperature of 87 degrees F and relative humidity of 68 percent.

Should the launch be delayed to Tuesday or Wednesday for some reason the forecast worsens slightly to a 70 percent chance of favorable weather both days.

Officials held the Flight Readiness Review on Thursday, which concluded with the approval to load the rocket's second stage with its storable propellants. The fueling process occurred on Friday as scheduled.

The stage uses Aerozine 50 propellant -- which is made of 50 percent unsymetrical dimethyl hydrazine and 50 percent hydrazine -- and nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer. The storable fuel is consumed by the stage's Aerojet AJ10-118K engine in two scheduled firings during launch.

The rocket's first stage will be loaded with a highly refined kerosene and super-cold liquid oxygen in the final hours before liftoff. The third stage is solid-fueled.

The Launch Readiness Review will be held on Saturday to verify all systems are ready to proceed with the countdown.

Other activities on Saturday include powering up the rocket, updating the vehicle's the guidance system with launch azimuth data, checks of the rocket's C-band beacon used for tracking the vehicle during launch and hooking up the ordnance.

Stay with Spaceflight Now for continuing updates leading up to Monday's launch and a complete Genesis mission preview this weekend. Plus we will have comprehensive live coverage throughout the countdown and 64-minute flight of the Delta 2 rocket!