BY JUSTIN RAY

Follow the countdown and launch of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket with the U.S. Air Force's latest GPS navigation spacecraft. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2004
2339 GMT (6:39 p.m. EST)

The countdown is now entering its final six hours to the late-night launch of a Boeing Delta 2 rocket and the GPS 2R-13 spacecraft for the U.S. Air Force. Work continues at pad 17B to configure the platform, exhaust ducts and other support equipment for tonight's liftoff.

2200 GMT (5:00 p.m. EST)

The mobile service tower is in motion right now, wheeling back to its park position away from the Delta 2 rocket at pad 17B. The tower is used to assemble the rocket on the pad and provide access for workers during the booster's stay on the seaside complex.

Once the tower is fully retracted over the next few minutes, workers will get the structure locked down and proceed with the other activities to ready the pad for launch.

2025 GMT (3:25 p.m. EST)

The Delta launch team is gearing up for a second countdown to liftoff of the GPS 2R-13 military navigation spacecraft. Clocks are ticking toward launch at 12:39 a.m. EST (0539 GMT) tonight from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The weather forecast is favorable and Boeing says the data problem that scrubbed this morning's launch attempt has been resolved.

The mobile service tower was rolled back around the Delta vehicle following the scrub. Retraction to the launch position will occur in a couple of hours. The Terminal Countdown begins at 9:39 p.m. EST, followed by re-filling the first stage kerosene and liquid oxygen tanks.

The three-stage Delta rocket will need 25 minutes to deliver the GPS satellite into the proper orbit. The craft will be used by the U.S. military to replace an aging satellite in the GPS constellation.

0710 GMT (2:10 a.m. EST)

A glitch in the final minute of the countdown halted this morning's launch of Boeing's Delta 2 rocket carrying the next Global Positioning System satellite, delaying the mission 24 hours.

"Hold, hold, hold," a launch team member announced as countdown clocks reached T-minus 49 seconds. "We've received a red alarm."

Those words meant the Delta 2 rocket and GPS 2R-13 military navigation satellite, already running six weeks late because of Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne plus more-recent technical bugs, would be grounded on the Cape Canaveral launch pad one more day.

Trouble with a ground transmitter on the Eastern Range had consumed the early portion of this morning's 28-minute launch opportunity. Once that problem had been resolved, liftoff was targeted for 1:11 a.m. EST -- the very last moment of the day's available window. As a result, there was no time left to deal with the red alarm.

A Boeing spokesman said a database problem in the launch data system triggered the alarm.

The Delta rocket and its $45 million payload will be readied for another countdown leading to liftoff early Saturday morning. The available launch window shifts four minutes earlier, extending from 12:39 to 1:07 a.m. EST (0539-0607 GMT).

There is an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions, the launch weather officer reported in his post-scrub forecast.

"Frontal boundary expected to be over south Florida. Scattered clouds and an isolated shower will be possible as cooler air moves over the warmer ocean. Northerly winds will gust to near 20 knots during the day, but should decrease after sunset. Main concerns for launch will for an isolated shower and ground winds," the launch weather officer explained in the updated forecast.

The forecast calls for scattered clouds at 5,000 feet with 3/8ths sky coverage, visibility of 7 miles, northerly winds 10 gusting to 15 knots and a temperature between 64 and 66 degrees F.

The outlook for a Sunday morning launch attempt, if needed, also has an 80 percent chance of good weather.

We will provide live updates throughout the countdown on this page.

0627 GMT (1:27 a.m. EST)

The GPS spacecraft has transitioned from internal battery power to its trickle charge for the launch postponement.

Meanwhile, technicians are preparing to start draining the liquid oxygen from the Delta rocket's first stage.

0620 GMT (1:20 a.m. EST)

"We had a database problem at the last minute and that caused a hold condition," Boeing mission commentator Greg High says.

With no time left in the launch window to address the problem, today's shot at getting the Delta 2 rocket off the ground was automatically scrubbed. Most of the window had been used up by an earlier problem with a ground transmitter on the Eastern Range.

Boeing tentatively plans for a 24-hour scrub turnaround leading to liftoff at 12:39 a.m. EST tomorrow night.

0618 GMT (1:18 a.m. EST)

Still no word on exactly what the problem was that caused the countdown hold.

The weather forecast for tomorrow's launch opportunity -- if the mission is rescheduled for that time -- calls for a 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions. Gusty ground winds at pad 17B will be the main concern following the passage of a cold front.

The outlook predicts scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, visibility of 10 miles, north-northeasterly winds 12 gusting to 20 knots and a temperature between 60 and 62 degrees F. There is a 30 percent chance the gusty winds will violate the 25-knot launch limit, thereby preventing the liftoff.

0612 GMT (1:12 a.m. EST)

Safing of the Delta 2 rocket and GPS spacecraft is continuing. This is a normal procedure that the launch team performs following an abort in the countdown to return the vehicle to the status it was in during the T-minus 4 minute hold.

0611 GMT (1:11 a.m. EST)

The countdown has been stopped due to a problem. This will prevent liftoff tonight because the launch window is closing.

We're awaiting word on what prompted a launch team member to call a hold inside the final minute of the countdown.

If liftoff is rescheduled 24 hours from now, the Saturday morning launch window extends from 12:39 to 1:07 a.m. EST (0539-0607 GMT).

0610 GMT (1:10 a.m. EST)

HOLD! The countdown has stopped!

0609 GMT (1:09 a.m. EST)

T-minus 2 minutes. The first stage liquid oxygen vents are being closed so the LOX tank can be pressurized for launch. Puffs of vapor from a relief valve on the rocket will be seen in the remainder of the countdown as the tank pressure stabilizes.

0608 GMT (1:08 a.m. EST)

T-minus 2 minutes, 30 seconds. The GPS 2R-13 spacecraft has been declared "go" for launch.

0608 GMT (1:08 a.m. EST)

T-minus 3 minutes and counting. The rocket's third stage safe and arm devices are being armed.

0607 GMT (1:07 a.m. EST)

T-minus 3 minutes, 45 seconds and counting. The Delta 2 rocket's systems are now transferring to internal power for launch.

0607 GMT (1:07 a.m. EST)

T-minus 4 minutes and counting. The final phase of the countdown is underway for launch of the Delta 2 rocket and the GPS 2R-13 military navigation satellite at 1:11 a.m. EST from pad 17B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

0606 GMT (1:06 a.m. EST)

Now five minutes from launch! Standing by to resume the countdown in one minute.

0603 GMT (1:03 a.m. EST)

The poll is complete with no problems reported.

0602 GMT (1:02 a.m. EST)

The launch team readiness poll is being re-done to confirm all members are ready to resume the countdown.

0601 GMT (1:01 a.m. EST)

Time to launch is now 10 minutes.

0559 GMT (12:59 a.m. EST)

The countdown is scheduled to resume ticking from the T-minus 4 minute mark at 1:07 a.m. EST. There will be no time to spare as the count leads to liftoff at 1:11 a.m. EST as tonight's launch window closes.

0556 GMT (12:56 a.m. EST)

The Range has announced that the command destruct receiver safety checks are complete and the results are acceptable. So the Range is now "go" for launch at 1:11 a.m. EST.

0552 GMT (12:52 a.m. EST)

NEW LAUNCH TIME! Liftoff is being targeted for 1:11 a.m. EST -- the very end of tonight's window.

0550 GMT (12:50 a.m. EST)

The launch team has been told to stand by. Some red alarms are being evaluated and the Range is still reviewing its issue.

0549 GMT (12:49 a.m. EST)

The Range continues to be "no go" at this time. Countdown clocks must resume by 1:07 a.m. to permit a liftoff by the end of the window.

0547 GMT (12:47 a.m. EST)

The safety system testing has been completed. The Range is examining the data to verify if all is "go" for launch.

0546 GMT (12:46 a.m. EST)

Officials are assessing the situation to determine when liftoff can be attempted during tonight's window that extends to 1:11 a.m. EST.

0544 GMT (12:44 a.m. EST)

The safety checks are being re-conducted. This system would be used to destroy the Delta vehicle if a problem occurs during launch.

0540 GMT (12:40 a.m. EST)

A Boeing spokesman says there is a problem with a Range ground transmitter. Air Force officials report that the command destruct system safety checks conducted a little while ago in the countdown must be re-performed.

0539 GMT (12:39 a.m. EST)

The launch team has until 1:11 a.m. EST to get the Delta 2 rocket off the ground. Liftoff is not possible beyond that point this morning.

0537 GMT (12:37 a.m. EST)

The Eastern Range is reporting a "no go" condition. Countdown clocks will remain stopped at the T-minus 4 minute mark. There is no estimate on how long this extra wait will last.

0536 GMT (12:36 a.m. EST)

HOLD EXTENDED. The launch team has been instructed not to resume the countdown as scheduled. We're standing by for word on what has prompted this delay in the launch time.

0535 GMT (12:35 a.m. EST)

The launch team has been polled by the Boeing launch conductor for a "go" to proceed with the countdown. No problems were reported. The team is now receiving final instructions on countdown procedures.

0534 GMT (12:34 a.m. EST)

The countdown is half-way through this built-in hold. Launch of the 308th Delta rocket, the 116th in the Delta 2 series since 1989 and the GPS 2R-13 spacecraft is now just 10 minutes away.

0531 GMT (12:31 a.m. EST)

There are no problems currently being reported by Boeing or the Air Force. Weather remains "go" for launch.

0529 GMT (12:29 a.m. EST)

T-minus 4 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered the final planned hold point for tonight's launch attempt. During this planned 10-minute hold, officials will poll the various team members in the soft blockhouse, Range Operations Control Center and Mission Directors Center. If all systems are "go," the countdown will resume for liftoff at 12:43 a.m. EDT (0543 GMT).

0528 GMT (12:28 a.m. EST)

The Air Force launch weather officer has declared that conditions are "go" for liftoff today.

0527 GMT (12:27 a.m. EST)

Pressurization of the facility water tanks is beginning.

0526 GMT (12:26 a.m. EST)

The liquid oxygen tank topping off at 100 percent.

0524 GMT (12:24 a.m. EST)

The first stage fuel tank is being pressurized.

0524 GMT (12:24 a.m. EST)

The spacecraft safe and arm devices is being armed.

0523 GMT (12:23 a.m. EST)

T-minus 10 minutes and counting. The GPS spacecraft payload is now confirmed to be on internal battery power for flight. The satellite will be delivered into an orbit ranging from 11,000 to 100 miles by the three-stage Delta 2 rocket. From there, the Lockheed Martin-built craft will use its kick motor to reach the GPS constellation for replacing an aging satellite later this month.

0519 GMT (12:19 a.m. EST)

Inhibited checks are now beginning 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.

0518 GMT (12:18 a.m. EST)

The GPS 2R-13 spacecraft cargo atop the Delta 2 rocket is now switching to internal power for launch.

0513 GMT (12:13 a.m. EST)

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 where the final hold is planned.

0509 GMT (12:09 a.m. EST)

No problems were reported during the just-completed readiness poll. Clocks will resume counting in four minutes.

0503 GMT (12:03 a.m. EST)

Now half-way through this built-in hold at T-minus 20 minutes. Launch team and management polls will be coming up shortly. Once the countdown resumes, clocks will tick down to the T-minus 4 minute mark where a 10-minute hold is planned.

0453 GMT (11:53 p.m. EST Thurs.)

T-minus 20 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered the 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. Engineers will also have time to examine all the data from the just-completed steering tests.

Local weather conditions continue to remain excellent. The Delta rocket is still set to launch at 12:43 a.m. EST from pad 17B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

0450 GMT (11:50 p.m. EST Thurs.)

And now the first stage steering checks are complete.

0446 GMT (11:46 p.m. EST Thurs.)

The second stage engine slews have been conducted.

0443 GMT (11:43 p.m. EST Thurs.)

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

0438 GMT (11:38 p.m. EST Thurs.)

Time to launch is now 65 minutes.

Coming up in about five minutes, engine steering tests will be conducted on the Delta 2 launch vehicle.

0425 GMT (11:25 p.m. EST Thurs.)

The launch team reports the loading of the Delta 2 rocket's first stage liquid oxygen tank was completed at 11:25:35 p.m. EST. The operation took 26 minutes and 26 seconds tonight. The tank will be replenished through the countdown to replace the super-cold liquid oxygen that naturally boils away.

The rocket is now fully fueled for launch. The vehicle's first stage was successfully loaded with RP-1 kerosene fuel along with the liquid oxygen over the past hour. The second stage was filled with its storable nitrogen tetroxide and Aerozine 50 fuels a few days ago. The nine strap-on booster rockets and third stage are solid-propellant.

0420 GMT (11:20 p.m. EST Thurs.)

Once the liquid oxygen tank reaches the 95 percent full level, the "rapid load" valve will be closed and the slower "fine load" phase will continue to fill the tank.

0417 GMT (11:17 p.m. EST Thurs.)

Cryogenic tanking of the Delta rocket's first stage has reached the 18-minute mark of this approximate 25-minute process.

0413 GMT (11:13 p.m. EST Thurs.)

The countdown is entering the final 90 minutes to launch. Weather conditions are currently acceptable and Boeing is not reporting any technical problems as activities proceed for liftoff at 12:43 a.m. EST.

0406 GMT (11:06 p.m. EST Thurs.)

Liquid oxygen loading has surpassed the 7-minute mark. The bottom of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket is icing over as the super-cold liquid oxygen continues to flow into the first stage.

0359 GMT (10:59 p.m. EST Thurs.)

Super-cold liquid oxygen is beginning to flow into the first stage of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket as the countdown continues for tonight's 12:43 a.m. EST launch.

The liquid oxygen, chilled to Minus-298 degrees F, is being pumped from a storage tank at pad 17B, through plumbing and into the bottom of the rocket. The LOX and the RP-1 kerosene fuel -- loaded aboard the vehicle in the past hour -- will be consumed by the first stage main engine.

0355 GMT (10:55 p.m. EST Thurs.)

The launch team has completed work to turn on and configure the Delta's onboard guidance computer -- called the Redundant Inertial Flight Control Assembly, or RIFCA.

0354 GMT (10:54 p.m. EST Thurs.)

Officials have given the launch team approval to begin preps for loading the liquid oxygen tank.

0345 GMT (10:45 p.m. EST Thurs.)

The launch weather officer just provided a detailed briefing to the management team in advance of loading liquid oxygen into the Delta 2 rocket's first stage. There is a band of cloudiness drifting in from the west and northwest in association with that cold front forecast to move into Central Florida overnight.

The weather reconnaissance aircraft will be dispatched to examine the clouds to determine if they are thicker than 4,500 feet and exceeding the freezing level, which would constitute a violation of the launch weather rules if the clouds were close to the pad at liftoff time. However, meteorologists say they are "feeling confident" that won't be a problem as the clouds appear to be eroding and somewhat dissipating tonight.

The launch time forecast calls for partly cloudy skies, a temperature of 70-72 degrees and west-southwesterly winds at 8 gusting to 12 knots. There is just a 20 percent chance of breaking the thick cloud rule.

0329 GMT (10:29 p.m. EST Thurs.)

The first stage fuel tank of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket has been fully loaded for today's planned 12:43 a.m. EST launch. The tank was filled with a highly refined kerosene, called RP-1, during a 19-minute, 27-second process that concluded at 10:28:35 p.m. EST.

The next major task in the count will be loading super-cold cryogenic liquid oxygen into the first stage starting just before 11 p.m.

0326 GMT (10:26 p.m. EST Thurs.)

Rapid-loading of the RP-1 tank has concluded. Fine load is continuing.

0322 GMT (10:22 p.m. EST Thurs.)

The launch team has computed that the full load for the first stage fuel tank is 10,071 gallons.

Once the tank is filled to 98 percent or 9,870 gallons, the "rapid load" valve will be closed and the slower "fine load" phase will continue to top off the tank.

0319 GMT (10:19 p.m. EST Thurs.)

Now 10 minutes, or half-way, through this 20-minute process to load the rocket's first stage with kerosene fuel. Some 6,000 gallons have been loaded to this point.

The propellant will be used along with liquid oxygen -- to be pumped into the rocket a little later -- by the first stage Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and twin vernier steering thrusters during the initial four-and-a-half minutes of flight.

0309 GMT (10:09 p.m. EST Thurs.)

Fueling of the Delta 2 rocket's first stage has begun for tonight's launch. About 10,000 gallons of a highly refined kerosene propellant, called RP-1, are being pumped into the base of the rocket from a storage tank at pad 17B.

0304 GMT (10:04 p.m. EST Thurs.)

Boeing technicians are starting preparations for loading the Delta 2 rocket's first stage RP-1 fuel tank. After verifying valves, sensors, flow meters and equipment are ready, the highly-refined kerosene fuel will start flowing into the vehicle.

0243 GMT (9:43 p.m. EST Thurs.)

T-minus 150 minutes and counting. The Terminal Countdown is now underway for tonight's launch of the Delta 2 rocket and the Global Positioning System 2R-13 satellite. The next three hours will be spent fueling the rocket, activating systems and performing final testing before liftoff at 12:43 a.m. EST (0543 GMT) from pad 17B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

The Complex 17B area is verified cleared of workers. A warning horn will be sounded three times at the seaside complex as a precaution to alert any remaining personnel in the vicinity that they should leave immediately.

The pad clear status will allow the start of hazardous operations such as 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.

The countdown currently stands at T-minus 150 minutes. However, there are a pair of holds -- totaling 30 minutes in duration -- planned at T-minus 20 minutes and T-minus 4 minutes.

0237 GMT (9:37 p.m. EST Thurs.)

The weather forecast has been updated to an 80 percent chance of acceptable conditions tonight. That is a 10 percent improvement over earlier forecasts.

0234 GMT (9:34 p.m. EST Thurs.)

The launch team members have been polled for a "ready" status to resume the countdown as planned at the end of this hold. No issues were reported. Clocks will start ticking again at 9:43 p.m. EST as the Terminal Countdown begins.

0218 GMT (9:18 p.m. EST Thurs.)

There are 25 minutes remaining in this hold. The hazard area around launch pad 17B has been confirmed clear of all personnel. So the pre-pressurization of systems on the rocket is starting. Fueling operations are coming up within the next hour.

0143 GMT (8:43 p.m. EST Thurs.)

T-minus 150 minutes and holding. Clocks are entering a planned 60-minute built-in hold in the countdown. Holds are scheduled into the count to give workers a chance to catch up on any activities that may be running behind.

Over the next hour, all launch team members and management officials will be seated at their consoles. A series of polls will be conducted to verify everyone is ready tor enter Terminal Count at end of the built-in hold.

Liftoff of the Delta 2 rocket remains scheduled for 12:43 a.m. EST from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

0122 GMT (8:22 p.m. EST Thurs.)

Hold-fire checks are beginning. This verifies the capability to halt the countdown if a safety problem arises.

The formal call-to-stations for the entire launch team is coming up at 8:38 p.m. EST. Clocks will enter a planned hour-long pause at the T-minus 150 minute mark at 8:43 p.m. EST. Terminal Count starts at 9:43 p.m. EST.

0045 GMT (7:45 p.m. EST Thurs.)

We have posted a gallery of spectacular pictures taken by Boeing photographer Carleton Bailie at sunset today as the mobile service tower was rolled away from the Delta 2 rocket at launch pad 17B. See the pictures here.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2004
2355 GMT (6:55 p.m. EST)

Now inside six hours to launch. Workers at the pad are securing the mobile service tower in its launch position, moving the special pad 17B exhaust ducts into place and performing the final site closeouts before the hazard area is evacuated in advance of fueling the Delta 2 rocket tonight. Launch is still set to go at 12:43 a.m. EST.

2245 GMT (5:45 p.m. EST)

The sun is doing down, the pad flood lights are coming on and the mobile service tower has rolled back for tonight's Delta rocket launch. It is a beautiful evening here on the Space Coast as Boeing and the Air Force prepare to fly the Delta 2 booster and GPS military navigation satellite.

2030 GMT (3:30 p.m. EST)

Final pre-launch activities are continuing at Cape Canaveral for tonight's liftoff of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket with its GPS satellite payload. Technicians at pad 17B are progressing through their routine work to ready the complex for the countdown and launch. Retraction of the mobile service tower from around the rocket is expected in the next couple of hours.

The Terminal Countdown commences at 9:43 p.m. EST. The loading of RP-1 propellant into the first stage begins about 20 minutes later, followed by liquid oxygen tanking the following hour.

Launch remains targeted for 12:43 a.m. EST.

1645 GMT (11:45 a.m. EST)

The launch day edition of the weather forecast has been issued. You can read it here.

0200 GMT (9 p.m. EST Wed.)

After glancing blows by powerful hurricanes and several technical snags, the launch countdown for Boeing's Delta 2 rocket carrying a replacement Global Positioning System satellite has finally reached the last hours to blastoff.

"The launch team stands ready to greet success," said Lt. Col. L.C. Coffey, the Air Force launch director. "The finishing touches are now underway for what will be a tremendous show very early Friday morning."

Originally slated to fly September 22, this mission has been postponed several times by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne hitting Florida, then concerns involving hardware on the rocket.

But all systems now appear set for launch at 12:43 a.m. EST (0543 GMT) Friday from pad 17B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Clocks begin ticking down Thursday evening.

"We've encountered several technical challenges. This is after all rocket science," Coffey said. "We've overcome those challenges and this rocket is mission ready."

A 28-minute launch window is available, extending to 1:11 a.m. EST (0611 GMT), if any problems prevent an on-time liftoff.

The weather forecast is generally favorable with a 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions during the window. An approaching cold front sliding into Florida bringing thick clouds and rainshowers will be the main worry.

"I have good news in that all we will be dealing with tomorrow night is a weak cold front, which is a nice change considering what we have been through over the last few months," Joel Tumbiolo, the Air Force launch weather officer, quipped at the pre-launch news conference Wednesday. This will be the first rocket launch from the Cape since the hurricanes.

The cold front is expected to move through the area around sunrise Friday.

"The timing is going to be critical. But it looks like the majority of (the clouds and rain) will be through after the launch window. So hopefully the timing is correct and we will have no problems," Tumbiolo said.

"We are going with a 30 percent chance of a launch violation with thick clouds associated with this front being the main culprit."

Should the launch be postponed one day, Saturday's window opens four minutes earlier at 12:39 a.m. EST (0539 GMT).

"If we were to go 24 hours down the road, the front will move through, our winds will shift to the north," Tumbiolo said. "So Friday night/Saturday morning we'll have a north wind 10-15 knots, it'll be much cooler, probably in the low 60s, and at that time only a 20 percent chance of a violation with ground winds being the main concern."

The GPS 2R-13 satellite will be lofted by the three-stage Delta 2 rocket. Ground controllers will spend the month of November maneuvering the spacecraft into the GPS constellation and performing a full checkout before pressing it into service.

"(The) GPS 2R-13 spacecraft will make its way to its proper orbit to proudly serve as the 52nd GPS satellite launched and 30th satellite in the current constellation supporting navigation, timing and targeting functions for this great nation, its warfighters, the general public and the world," Coffey said.

The $45 million Lockheed Martin-built satellite replaces an aging GPS craft launched in the summer of 1991 that has long surpassed its design life and is now operating on its last remaining clock.

"The health of the constellation is going well but it is aging. So it is important to get this next launch up," said Col. Al Ballenger, system program director in the GPS Joint Program Office at Los Angeles Air Force Base.

"This launch will bring our constellation to a total of 30 satellites (in operation). That'll be a new historic high for GPS."

NASA is anxiously awaiting the outcome of this launch. If the Delta 2 flies as currently scheduled, the space agency will deliver its Swift gamma-ray observatory to pad 17A on Monday for mating atop another Delta 2 booster. That liftoff would occur on November 17, if all goes according to the new plan. The Swift launch has been on hold waiting for the GPS to go from neighboring pad 17B.

The November 17 launch slot became available to NASA after Boeing cancelled plans for its Delta 4-Heavy demonstration flight on November 18. That crucial rocket launch has not yet been rescheduled, but sources say expect liftoff sometime in December.

We will provide play-by-play reports throughout Thursday night's countdown and launch. Watch this page for the live coverage!

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2004

The weather outlook remains unchanged. See the latest forecast here.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2004

The latest forecast of Friday morning's launch weather has been issued. See the full forecast here.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2004

The early weather forecast is calling for generally favorable conditions during the Thursday night/ Friday morning launch window. Meteorologists predict a 70 percent chance of acceptable weather, with 30 percent chance that thick clouds will violate the launch rules. The outlook for a 24-hour delay improves a bit. See the full forecast here.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2004

Launch of Boeing's Delta 2 rocket carrying a replacement satellite for the U.S. military's Global Positioning System has been re-targeted for late next week after technicians exchange batteries on the third stage, the Air Force said Wednesday. Read our full story.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2004

Officials have penciled in Friday, November 5 as the no-sooner-than target date for the GPS mission. The further delay pushes back NASA's Swift science mission aboard another Delta 2 from the neighboring pad at Complex 17 to mid-November at the earliest, if a slot can be found in the busy Range schedule that includes launch and test support.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2004

Launch of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket carrying a Global Positioning System satellite from Cape Canaveral, rescheduled for this coming weekend, has been postponed yet again.

Air Force officials have not announced the reason for this latest delay or the new target launch date.

The mission has slipped several times due to Florida's hurricane troubles and more recently by technical concerns.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2004
1720 GMT (1:20 p.m. EDT)

The next Global Positioning System satellite could roar into space next weekend, officials said today, after technical problems with Boeing's Delta 2 rocket are resolved. Read our full story.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2004
1645 GMT (12:45 p.m. EDT)

Monday's predawn launch of a replacement Global Positioning System satellite aboard a Boeing Delta 2 rocket has been postponed due to technical concerns. A new launch date has not been established. The rocket is fully assembled at Cape Canaveral's pad 17B.

The delay is expected to push back NASA's Swift gamma-ray burst observatory atop another Delta 2 from neighboring pad 17A that had been set for liftoff November 8.

We'll post a full report when more details become available.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2004

The Air Force and Boeing have set October 25 as the target launch date for the Delta rocket and next GPS satellite. Liftoff from pad 17B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station will be possible during a 29-minute window extending from 2:27 to 2:56 a.m. EDT (0627-0656 GMT).

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2004

It has weathered hurricanes Frances and Jeanne on Cape Canaveral's launch pad 17B and now a Boeing Delta 2 rocket is awaiting a new date to boost the Air Force's next Global Positioning System satellite in space. Read our full story.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2004

The fury of Hurricane Frances put a Boeing Delta 2 launch on hold and prompted extensive inspections, but pre-flight preparations are resuming for the rocket's mission to haul a replacement Global Positioning System satellite into space. Read our full story.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2004

Finally winning the battle over Florida's summertime weather after three earlier losses, a Boeing Delta 2 rocket roared to space Wednesday and deployed a Global Positioning System military navigation satellite in a mission dedicated to the memory of President Ronald Reagan. Read our full story.

Additional coverage for subscribers:
VIDEO: DELTA 2 ROCKET BLASTS OFF WITH GPS 2R-12 QT
VIDEO: LIFTOFF AS SEEN FROM PRESS SITE QT
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