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| Science & Technology |
| Dramatic hot fire abort for Delta IV Heavy launch |
| 2020-08-29 |
| [Fox 51] United Launch Alliance had hope that the third time would be a charm. Instead, a hot fire abort at T-minus 3 seconds kept a Delta IV Heavy rocket from launching into orbit from Cape Canaveral early Saturday morning. It was about as late in the game as it could get without a major loss When the four-hour window opened at 2:04 a.m. there were already delays as engineers completed a thermal analysis of a rocket compartment that was excessively cold due to cryogenic fuel. A new launch time was set for 3:28 a.m. but the planned liftoff came to an abrupt end as the base of the Delta IV Heavy was engulfed in flames. |
| Posted by:M. Murcek |
| #2 SpaceX is screwed in this too. They had two launches delayed as this Boeing rocket kept retrying. One of them will not be permitted to launch as it would over fly the Delta IV. For SpaceX it is a perfect lesson not to share a launch base with any player who might do NRO launches. They might need more Boca Chias. Their western site at Vandy doesn't get much use as California put safe quite sex for sea lions at a higher value than commercial rocket flights. As to ULA launching on a Boeing rocket they got to be really wishing for their new Vulcan to come online ASAP. |
| Posted by: 3dc 2020-08-29 10:04 |
| #1 It wasn't 'rapid disassembly' but the first stage shell may be heat compromised. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2020-08-29 09:36 |