Launch officials scrubbed the launch of a Boeing Delta II rocket carrying NASA's StarDust spacecraft today one minute and forty-two seconds prior to lift-off. The scrub was called after engineers noted the vehicle's beacon, used by range-safety tracking radar, showed electrical current levels that were outside limits established for launch.
The beacon responds to range-safety radar, emitting signals that are used to determine the locations of the vehicle during flight. The launch vehicle's beacon signals must fall within certain limits that are pre-established by the Eastern Range.
The one-second launch opportunity did not allow engineers enough time to analyze the data and recycle the launch countdown to make another launch attempt today. The Delta launch team is assessing data to determine its next course of action, and is proceeding with plans for another launch attempt tomorrow at 4:04:15 p.m. EST.
The launch weather officer is predicting a zero percent chance of weather criteria violation for tomorrow's attempt.
