Delta IV Heavy rocket's final launch scrubbed due to mechanical issue
History was delayed on Thursday in Cape Canaveral.
The final mission of ULA’s Delta IV Heavy, a rocket with a decades-long career, was scrubbed at the last minute.
After sitting on the launch pad in a short hold, Launch Director Tom Heter announced the operations would not continue for the day.
Going into the launch day, officials were concerned about gusty winds and cloud conditions. The launch was only seen as a 30% go due to weather.
In the end, the company said the scrub wasn't due to weather at all. Instead, officials report there was "an issue with the gaseous nitrogen pipeline which provides pneumatic pressure to the launch vehicle systems."
Though ULA originally said Friday afternoon would be the next opportunity for a launch attempt, they provided an update Thursday night saying it would take more time to fix the issue.
Officials said a new date for the launch will be provided after the problem is solved.
The rocket, which is part of a family that has long served NASA and the Department of Defense, is set to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The heavy lift mission will be carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office with launch partners the U.S. Space Force and ULA.
“The legacy we hope for Delta is one of service. This really is your rocket. It has done great service to our nation; its other missions have done tremendous things for exploration and science. That’s how I want Delta to be remembered. It’s why we do the work we do,” said United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno.
The launch is considered to be a spectacle by many. This is because the 2.1 million pounds of thrust make it look like the rocket is on fire just before liftoff.
Though this is the end of an era for the Delta IV Heavy, ULA leadership says the Delta program has played a large role in the creation of Vulcan, their next-generation rocket, which had a successful inaugural launch in January.