Boeing checked out its debugged Delta 4 countdown software late last week during a test in which the inaugural rocket was fueled up on its Cape Canaveral launch pad, but a new glitch was uncovered.

Officials scheduled the special "tanking test" to prove changes made to software had resolved issues seen previously. A company spokesman said the modifications to automation software and tweaks to the timing of software were successfully verified.

However, a problem with ground equipment associated with software timing was encountered during the last half-minute of the countdown on Friday, the spokesman said.

Technicians troubleshooting the glitch are confident that a fix can be made quickly, the spokesman added.

Another tanking test is being scheduled for later this week to run through the countdown sequence one more time. If all goes well, Boeing will move forward with the planned launch day rehearsal and main engine firing in mid-October.

Officials have not changed the target liftoff date of November 3.