The planned launch of a spy satellite from a California coastal base has been called off.
A United Launch Alliance rocket carrying a classified National Reconnaissance Office satellite was poised to blast off Saturday night from Vandenberg Air Force Base northwest of Los Angeles.
Just seven seconds before its planned 8:15 p.m. liftoff, the launch was put on hold and then scrubbed altogether.
The launch of #DeltaIVHeavy carrying the #NROL71 mission for the @NatReconOfc was scrubbed today due to an unexpected condition during terminal count. The team is reviewing all data and will determine the path forward. A new launch date will be provided when available.— ULA (@ulalaunch) December 9, 2018
United Launch Alliance initially said during the launch’s webcast that the sequencer that controls the countdown had detected a problem. No other details were given.
This was the second attempt after the launch was postponed Friday night because of a communication problem between the control center and the launch site.
National Reconnaissance Office satellites gather intelligence information for U.S. national security and an array of other purposes including assessing impacts of natural disasters.
- FOUR OFFICERS INJURED IN STRUGGLE WITH MAN IN ALAMEDA
- ALLEGED GANG MEMBER KILLED IN POLICE SHOOTING NEAR MARTINEZ
- 27-YEAR-OLD DEAD AFTER OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING IN NAPA
- WOMAN KILLS ESCAPED INMATE WHO KICKED IN HER DOOR
- THIS 7-YEAR-OLD MAKES $22 MILLION A YEAR ON YOUTUBE