Update (Nov. 5, 11:30 p.m. EST): ULA has postponed the mission due to a valve issue.
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) had to call off the Atlas 5 rocket launch on Wednesday night. The issue stemmed from a valve in the booster liquid oxygen tank that couldn’t be fixed in time. This rocket is carrying a communications satellite for Viasat, a company based in California.
After the postponement, ULA explained that a problem occurred during the final checks. The next launch attempt is scheduled for 10:16 p.m. EST (0316 UTC), with a 44-minute window available. The rocket will head east from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
This mission is unique because it will deploy the ViaSat-3 F2 satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit. The satellite weighs about six metric tons and will start operations three and a half hours after launch. Live coverage will begin an hour before liftoff.
The 45th Weather Squadron predicts a 95% chance of good weather during the launch window. Meteorologists noted some cumulus clouds might pose a small risk, but overall conditions should be favorable. High pressure is expected to deliver fair weather for both launch days.
The Atlas 5 rocket is 196 feet tall and ready for action with five solid rocket boosters. At liftoff, it will generate around 2.7 million pounds of thrust. The boosters will detach after about two minutes, followed by the payload fairing about a minute and a half later. The Centaur upper stage will then use its RL10C-1-1 engine to make three separate firings to reach orbit.
This mission will mark the 105th flight of the Atlas V rocket, with 11 remaining before its retirement. Upcoming launches include six for Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner and five for Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite constellation.
The ViaSat-3 F2 will operate in a geostationary orbit, following its predecessor, ViaSat-3 F1, launched by SpaceX in 2023. The first satellite faced an antenna issue, leading to service delays and lower capacity. In contrast, the new satellite aims to increase Viasat’s network capabilities by more than 1 terabit per second (Tbps) over the Americas. After testing, it is expected to begin service in early 2026.
Mark Dankberg, CEO of Viasat, emphasized the importance of the new satellite. “Its advanced beam forming capabilities will allow us to efficiently distribute bandwidth to high-demand areas,” he stated. This upgrade will boost services for various platforms, including government applications.
The satellite is built on Boeing’s 702MP+ platform, incorporating electric propulsion and solar panels manufactured by Boeing subsidiary Spectrolab. Michelle Parker, Vice President of Boeing Space Mission Systems, highlighted their commitment to delivering reliable missions. “We aim for high-speed connectivity and timely deployment for our users,” she added.
For further details, you can explore ULA’s official site [here](https://www.ulalaunch.com), providing insights into their launch schedules and missions.
