Artist’s concept of the ST5 spacecraft. Image Credit: NASA

After a mechanical glitch scrubbed the first launch attempt of NASA’s Space Technology 5 mission last week, the stage is all set for the second launch attempt tomorrow morning (March 22nd). NASA TV coverage of the launch begins at 7:15 AM Eastern time (according to the NTV schedule; the ST5 release below lists coverage beginning at 7:30 ET). Tune in.

From today’s NASA press release:

The second launch attempt of NASA’s Space Technology 5 spacecraft is scheduled for Wednesday, March 22 at 9:02 a.m. EST.

Departure of the L-1011 aircraft carrying the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket and ST5 is scheduled for 8:04 a.m. EST, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The Pegasus/ST5 launch is targeted over the Pacific Ocean, 145 miles northwest of Vandenberg. The launch window closes at 10:20 a.m. EST.

The weather forecast on Wednesday is generally favorable with an 80 percent chance of meeting launch criteria.

During the first launch attempt on March 15, the Pegasus starboard flight control surface fin pin did not retract resulting in an aborted attempt. NASA and Orbital Sciences completed an engineering analysis, but the exact cause of the malfunction could not be determined. The most likely reason was the pin retractor system failed to operate due to the formation of ice.

The mechanism was removed and replaced in case there were other contributing causes. Steps have also been taken to mitigate potential water intrusion that could form ice during captive carry.

Also see:

Upcoming Events

Space Tech 5 Launch Rescheduled