Tags: United Launch Alliance, Delta IV, Satellite Launch, Military Satellite, Air Force, Boeing, Cape Canaveral
Publication: FloridaToday.com
Publication Date: 05/24/2013

The Mobile Service Tower (MST) is rolled back at Space Launch Complex-37 in preparation for launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket carrying the Air Force’s fifth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-5) satellite. Image credit: United Launch Alliance

The launch of the next Boeing-built Wideband Global SATCOM for the U.S. military has been delayed one full day after a technical problem impeded the scheduled liftoff on May 23. The United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket is now set for launch at 8:27 p.m. today, May 24 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The launch window extends through 8:57 p.m.

The initial attempt was called off when a leak from a gaseous helium line could not be identified and fixed in time for launch during the 30-minute window. Gaseous helium is used to purge rocket propulsion systems and keep them properly conditioned for flight.

Weather conditions are expected to be good for today’s launch with an 80 percent chance they will be acceptable for flight.

The $342 million Wideband Global SATCOM is the fifth in a series of new-generation satellites that provide U.S. and allied military forces with high-capacity broadband communications capability. A single Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft provides as much bandwidth as an entire constellation of prior-generation Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) spacecraft.

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