ULA Delays Vulcan Launch of 40 Amazon Satellites to Nov. 14 After Nitrogen Plant Power Loss
Updated
Updated · Spaceflight Now · Nov 13
ULA Delays Vulcan Launch of 40 Amazon Satellites to Nov. 14 After Nitrogen Plant Power Loss
3 articles · Updated · Spaceflight Now · Nov 13
Summary
Saturday’s new launch target is 12:32:30 p.m. EST after a power interruption at Air Liquide’s gaseous nitrogen plant knocked out high-pressure pumps and scrubbed Friday’s attempt.
ULA said the Vulcan rocket and its 40 Amazon Leo satellites remain healthy, but without confirmed sustained nitrogen flow the team shifted to the backup opportunity.
The one-day slip further extends Vulcan’s nine-month return-to-flight wait after solid rocket booster nozzle failures on 2 of its first 4 missions prompted the Space Force to pause national security use.
That flight is still pivotal for ULA and Amazon: it is the first of 38 Vulcan missions Amazon bought, carries a record payload above 50,000 pounds, and will deploy the satellites about 70 minutes after liftoff.