New Launch Dates for NASA’s Glory Mission TBD

Glory Satellite atop an Taurus XL rocket - credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA’s Glory spacecraft waits patiently for another launch attempt. Engineers are currently troubleshooting ground support equipment for the Taurus XL rocket which will carry the satellite into space.

A malfunction in the equipment on the 23^rd, just minutes before launch, has left the launch suspended. “We had an indication that a ‘hold-fire’ command was sent when indeed it had not,” said Omar Baez, NASA launch director.

According to NASA, the Glory satellite, which will help scientists understand the effect on the Earth’s climate from the sun and minute particles called aerosols, appears to be in good working order. “We are continuing to slow charge the battery until we have a new launch date,” said Bryan Fafaul, Glory project manager from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

While the engineers continue their analysis, launch managers are evaluating possible launch dates in early to mid-March for the mission.