July 5, 2007
Tabatha Thompson
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3895
George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-082
NASA POSTPONES DAWN SPACECRAFT LAUNCH
CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. – Saturday’s scheduled launch of NASA’s Dawn
spacecraft aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket has been
postponed 24 hours.
A lightning advisory early Thursday interrupted fueling of the Delta
II second stage rocket. Also, the temperature of the vehicle’s second
stage was too warm for the fueling process to begin. However, the
fairing temperature has been lowered so that another attempt can be
made Friday, July 6, pending acceptable weather.
Dawn’s launch countdown dress rehearsal is now scheduled for Friday.
The launch window on Sunday, July 8, extends from 4:04 p.m. to 4:33
p.m. EDT.
Weather for launch still may be an issue with a 60% chance of it not
meeting launch criteria on Sunday.
The Dawn mission science briefing, scheduled for Friday, will be held
as planned at 1 p.m. The pre-launch news conference is scheduled for
1 p.m. Saturday, July 7, following the Launch Readiness Review.
For more information about Dawn, visit:
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