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UPDATE: Preparations continue for Delta IV rocket launch Saturday

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UPDATE (2:38 p.m.) – Launch staff said preparations are going well and the countdown has begun for a Delta IV rocket launch, scheduled to go off from Vandenberg Airforce Base Saturday night.

It was originally scheduled for Friday but was postponed because of a communication link error.

The launch is scheduled for 8:06 p.m. A live broadcast will begin at 7:46 p.m.

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One step closer to launch of the #NROL71 #DeltaIVHeavy. The MST is parked and processing continues as we work towards a 8:06pm PST launch tonight. #rocketsofinstagram

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UPDATE (6:55 p.m.) – United Launch Alliance (ULA) says the new launch is planned for 8:06 p.m. Saturday.

ULA’s live broadcast of the launch will begin at 7:46 p.m.

For live updates, click here.


UPDATE (5:25 p.m.) – The launch has been scrubbed for Friday night.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) says there is an issue with a “redundant communication link between the control center and launch site.”

The launch countdown was placed on hold Friday afternoon while a special crew was called to the launch pad to troubleshoot an issue with the holdfire circuitry.

ULA says the crew will try again on Saturday.


(7:49 a.m.) – A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Friday, Dec. 7.

The rocket will carry a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.

The launch window opens at 8:19 p.m.

It will be streamed live on the United Launch Alliance website.

NRO

@NatReconOfc

Check out these cool photos of ! Final launch preparations began in October when the NROL-71 payload fairing was transported to SLC-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and was mated with a @ulalaunch Heavy rocket. NROL-71 is scheduled to launch Dec. 7th.

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This will be the second launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base this week.

On Monday morning, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 64 satellites was successfully launched from the Central Coast base.