The launch of a Delta II rocket has been pushed back to address some technical problems, NASA officials announced earlier this month. The rocket—which will propel an Earth Observing System satellite into orbit—has been rescheduled for Oct. 27 at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
A hydraulic system leak was detected during systems testing, according to a NASA press release. A replacement tube was manufactured, installed, and retested, and all other similar tubes have been inspected and confirmed to be free of any defects. A damaged fabric collar is also being replaced.
News of the delay came just as NASA officials announced they are considering extending the Delta II rocket’s life by possibly assigning it to future missions, though further details were not available as of press time.
The rocket will carry the first of the new sensors developed for this satellite fleet—known as the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS)—to be launched in 2016.
The program is the bridge between NASA’s Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites and the forthcoming series of JPSS satellites.
This article appears in Oct 13-20, 2011.