20-year-old rocket’s final Florida launch scrubbed

Rachel Tucker
·1 min read

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — After 20 years in operation, United Launch Alliance attempted to send up its Delta IV Heavy rocket for the final time on Thursday.

The rocket’s swan song was originally scheduled for 1:40 p.m., before it was pushed back to 2:45 p.m.

ULA staff decided to scrub the launch shortly after they aborted the countdown at T-3:50.

Delta IV was set to launch from Space Launch Complex 37 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as part of the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. When it eventually launches, will be carrying an undisclosed payload.

The launch was likely to be delayed, with only a 30% chance of favorable weather, according to a forecast from Patrick Space Force Base’s Weather Squadron. Gusty winds behind a cold front threatened the launch.

ULA did not immediately identify a time another launch attempt.

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