Atlas booster valve issue scrubs launch of ViaSat-3 F2 satellite – Spaceflight Now

Atlas Booster Valve Issue Delays ViaSat-3 F2 Launch

United Launch Alliance (ULA) postponed the planned launch of an Atlas 5 rocket on Wednesday night because of an unresolved valve issue within the launch window. The mission aimed to deploy a communications satellite for California-based company Viasat.

An issue encountered while cycling the booster liquid oxygen tank valve during final checkouts forced the team to stand down from the launch and target a day later.

The next liftoff attempt from Space Launch Complex 41 is scheduled for 10:16 p.m. EST (0316 UTC), opening a 44-minute launch window. After departure from Florida’s Space Coast, the rocket will travel eastward to place the 6-metric-ton satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit. Deployment is planned approximately 3.5 hours after liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Spaceflight Now will offer live coverage starting about one hour before takeoff. The 45th Weather Squadron predicted a 95 percent chance of suitable conditions for the launch, noting only a minor risk of disruption from cumulus clouds.

High pressure will bring fair weather to the Space Coast on both the primary and backup days. A ridge axis over Central Florida will create light onshore winds and partly cloudy skies.

The Atlas 5 rocket will fly in its 551 configuration for this mission.

Author’s Summary

ULA delayed the Atlas 5 launch of Viasat’s communications satellite due to a valve malfunction but expects favorable weather for the rescheduled attempt.

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Spaceflight Now Spaceflight Now — 2025-11-06

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