RELEASE: 99-022V

ATLAS ROCKET WITH TERRA SPACECRAFT RESCHEDULED FOR DEC. 18

The launch of NASA’s Terra spacecraft aboard a Lockheed Martin Atlas IIAS rocket is being postponed until no earlier than Dec. 18. Additional time is necessary to thoroughly work through the problem that caused this morning’s scrub. During an automatic software check that verifies readiness to proceed into the final seconds of the countdown, the ground launch sequencer indicated that the Atlas "power-on-internal" status was not confirmed and the ground launch sequencer halted the countdown at T-39 seconds.

The additional time required to assure launch readiness would not leave sufficient time for crew rest before the countdown resumes at approximately 2 a.m. on Friday morning.

NASA and Lockheed Martin are working with the Western Range to attempt to reschedule the launch for Saturday, Dec. 18. The launch window is unchanged throughout December, extending from 10:33 a.m. – 10:58 a.m. PST.

Media covering the launch should be at the main gate visitor center parking lot located on California State Road 1 at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18 to be escorted to the press site. A Terra press badge will be required of all media at the press site. After launch, media will be escorted back to the main gate. A post-launch news conference will not be held. There is no tower-rollback photo opportunity scheduled for Friday morning.