NASA Postpones Launch of Atlas V Rocket to Deliver Cargo to ISS

The launch of the Atlas V carrier rocket with the Cygnus spacecraft to deliver supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) was postponed until March 21, NASA said.

“During prelaunch testing March 10, ULA (United Launch Alliance) discovered a booster hydraulic issue at the pad, and the additional time will allow their team to replace a component and continue with launch preparations,” NASA said.

The Cygnus spacecraft is packed with 7,600 pounds of supplies and research for crew aboard the orbiting laboratory.

A total of seven Cygnus launches have been carried out so far, six of them successful. Five launches, including the failed one, were carried out atop the Antares rocket, from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Two launches of Cygnus atop the Atlas V rocket were carried out from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Apart from Cygnus, NASA also uses SpaceX and Falcon 9 space freighters, produced by SpaceX, to deliver cargo to the ISS. (PNA/Sputnik)
RMA/RSM