Although no technical issues are being reported, weather was “red” through the beginning of the launch window as reported by NASA’s Weather Officer Joel Tumbiolo. The storms are skirting the southern-most portion of the 10-mile limit but cleared out within the GOES-O launch window in time for liftoff.
UPDATE: There’s a new launch date assigned to the Delta IV with GOES-O payload, thanks to all of the natural phenomena that occurred as described below… the new date is Saturday, June 27th, with a launch window of between 6:14 and 7:14 p.m., EDT. Space Launch Complex 37 at the Cape is looking at about a 40 percent chance of launch weather conducive to blast off and launch.
ORIGINAL LAUNCH STORY FROM FRIDAY BELOW…
Good news for storm watchers, get out you slickers. A United Launch Alliance Delta IV, on behalf of Boeing Launch Services, with the NASA/NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-O stands poised for launch at Space Launch Complex-37, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
This evening’s launch window is from 6:14 – 7:14 p.m. EDT. GOES-O will provide more accurate prediction and tracking of severe storms and other weather phenomena, resulting in earlier and more precise warnings to the public. Photo by Carleton Bailie, The Boeing Company.
UPDATE: Now, the launch is being pushed until 6:44 p.m. EDT, due to an increasing and imminent threat of storms. Watching the NASA TV presentation of the launch, one can plainly hear the rumble of thunder in the background as storm clouds move in over the launch pad (picture). Internal power transfer has just occurred and launch control is keeping their fingers crossed that the storms will pass in time to ensure launch safety.
UPDATE: The latest information from launch control is that there will be weather updates every 10 minutes or so — the launch is on hold as winds increase to 15 knots and storm clouds continue to mar a view of a clear sky as the surroundings continue to darken as the sun sets. This photo from NASA TV shows clouds bearing down towards the GOES-O fairing on the launch pad.
UPDATE: Active lightning continues over the launch pad area… no indication that the cloud mass is dissipating now, or at any time soon (6:51 p.m. EDT). Estimates are that at least two hours would be required for the clouds to move away from the launch site. Weather updates will continue in the hopes that, should the clouds dissipate, the lightning threat will also cease, allowing the launch to continue.
UPDATE: Control has requested a detank and scrub on the launch vehicle, as the weather is not working in the launch team’s favor whatsoever. The launch is now officially scrubbed and the launch management team will decide when the next launch can be anticipated. GOES-O is not GOESing anywhere for today.
