ULA Aborts Launch of Delta 4 Heavy, 3 Seconds to Liftoff

The United Launch Alliance has aborted the launch of the Delta IV Heavy early Saturday morning. That was just 3 seconds to lift off after the engines initially ignited, and then, quickly shut off.

An unexpected condition prompted the abort, said ULA. The spacecraft service provider CEO, Tory Bruno, noted the vehicle is in good shape. 

At the moment, it’s unclear when the next opportunity will come. But the American rocket manufacturer will take at least a week to review all the data and try again. 

The ULA was set to launch its Delta 4 Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida early on Saturday. It was lofting a classified spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office.

They hoped that the third time would be a charm. Instead, a hot fire abort at T-minus 3 seconds kept it from rocketing into orbit.

There were already delays when the four-hour window opened at 2:04 a.m. Engineers completed a thermal analysis of a rocket compartment which was excessively cold due to cryogenic fuel. 

A new time schedule was set for 3:28 AM, but the planned liftoff came to an abrupt end. The base of the Delta 4 Heavy was engulfed in flames. 

Locals on the Space Coast know that delays are part of rocket launches. Jeffrey Lewis said last one they watched was delayed like three or four times. So that’s just part of the game, it sometimes gets delayed, he added.

Tom Harrity said he’s excited to see action in the sky again. He said that it’s an exciting situation now that it’s coming back.

They never get used to it. Every time they hear their house goes “chu chu chu chu”, they run out and yell, ‘A launch!’” he said.

Never Before Seen a Delta 4 Heavy Rocket Quite Like This

ULA Launch Director Lou Mangieri announced at 3:44 AM that the launch was scrubbed. The team secured the rocket and began draining its fuels.

The fully fueled rocket stood on the pad at Space Launch Complex-37. It is 235 feet tall and weighs 1.6 million pounds. 

That height is equivalent to a stack of seven school buses nose-to-tail. Moreover, it’s equal to the mass of 557 average American cars.

This will be the 141st mission for United Launch Alliance and its 29th mission for the NRO. Since 1960, it is the 385th Delta rocket launch.

Furthermore, it is the 41st for a Delta IV rocket since 2002, and the 12th Delta IV Heavy.

The rocket shone in a spectacular 3D projection ahead of the satellite launch. 

On its August 24 event, the spacecraft served as a backdrop for a 3D projection celebrating ULA’s legacy. It also celebrated the company’s successful delivery of 140 missions to orbit. 

Also on that event, the video stated that they are dreamers, inspired by possibilities not yet imagined. They are believers driven to harness the potential of space, leaders combining expertise, and ingenuity. All of it started with a spark of imagination.