Currently at the Launch Pad

OA-4 pad-2These are current looks at Space Launch Complex 41 where a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft stand in preparation for liftoff later today. Liftoff remains on schedule for 5:33 p.m. EST and the forecast still calls for a 40 percent chance of acceptable conditions. Today’s launch window will extend 30 minutes. Join us here and on NASA TV at 4:30 p.m. EST for countdown and launch coverage of the mission to deliver scientific gear, equipment and supplies to the International Space Station.

OA-4 pad-1

 

Forecast Upgraded to 40 Percent ‘Go’

Air Force meteorologists offered an improved weather forecast for Friday’s launch of the Orbital ATK CRS-4 resupply mission to the International Space Station. The likelihood of acceptable conditions has grown to 40 percent for launch time at 5:33 p.m. EST, the start of a 30-minute window. Our continuous countdown and launch coverage of the cargo-laden Cygnus spacecraft atop an Atlas V rocket will begin at 4:30 p.m. on this blog and on NASA TV, which can be linked from here or streamed at www.nasa.gov/ntv

Today’s Weather Outlook: 30 Percent ‘Go’

jb_wintery_grungeForecasters from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station 45th Weather Squadron have issued an updated prediction for today’s launch of an Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo spacecraft at 5:33:11 p.m. EST aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. There are no significant changes from the forecast released Thursday evening. There remains a 30 percent chance of favorable weather today, 30 percent Saturday and 40 percent chance on Sunday.

A launch in the first 7 ½ minutes of today’s 30-minute launch window will result in a rendezvous at the International Space Station and grapple and berthing of Cygnus on Monday, Dec. 7. A launch in the remainder of the window will result in a rendezvous with the station on Tuesday, Dec. 8

Our continuous countdown coverage here and on NASA Television will begin at 4:30 p.m. You can use the link here on the blog to watch or stream directly at https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv.

Weather Forces Scrub of Today’s Attempt

OA-4WideShotLowAngleWith no signs poor weather conditions would clear in time for a launch today, the launch managers scrubbed today’s try. The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft will be configured to launch tomorrow at 5:33 p.m. EST, the opening of a 30-minute window. The forecast tomorrow calls for a 30 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch time. Continuous countdown coverage here and on NASA TV will begin at 4:30 p.m. EST.

Forecast Remains 10 Percent ‘Go’

OA-4AlternateAngleNoRainThe chances of rain clearing out of the Cape Canaveral area before today’s launch window closes are not encouraging, Clay Finn, launch weather officer of the Air Force’s 45th Weather Squadron, told the launch team during a briefing that just concluded. The Atlas booster stage and Centaur upper stage are fully fueled. The countdown is proceeding towards a 5:55 p.m. EST liftoff and the launch window runs until 6:25 p.m.