Launch recap: Scroll down to review live updates from the Monday, June 16, scrubbed liftoff of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral on Amazon’s second Project Kuiper mission.
Original story: It’s launch day! Look for a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket to propel Amazon’s second batch of Project Kuiper internet-beaming satellites into low-Earth orbit this afternoon.
Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY Space Team live coverage of ULA’s mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Crews continue targeting 1:25 p.m. to launch the Atlas V rocket from Launch Complex 41.
Bolstered by five solid rocket boosters, the Atlas V will ascend along a northeasterly trajectory. No Brevard County sonic booms should occur.
The Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron pegged the odds of “go for launch” weather at 75%. Cumulus clouds present the prime risk, coupled with a low-to-moderate risk of solar activity interference.
Specifically, ULA announced the launch-time forecast called for scattered clouds and high-level cirrus clouds, a chance of isolated showers, good visibility, southeasterly winds of 15 to 21 mph, and a temperature near 82 degrees.
When ULA’s live webcast begins about 20 minutes before liftoff, look for it posted below next to our countdown clock.
Brevard emergency officials deactivate after scrub
Update 1:25 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have deactivated the agency’s launch operations support team after ULA’s scrubbed Atlas V launch attempt.
ULA CEO Tory Bruno noted rocket temperature level
Update 1:05 p.m.: In a noon Bluesky post, ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno said technicians were “working a temperature measurement warmer than previous family.”
The scrub was publicly announced 51 minutes later. Further details have not been released.
Scrub!
Update 12:53 p.m.: ULA just announced today’s launch has been scrubbed “due to an engineering observation of an elevated purge temperature within the booster engine.”
No new launch date has been announced yet.
Centaur upper-stage hydrogen filling completed
Update 12:45 p.m.: The latest mission update from ULA:
“Filling of the Centaur upper stage liquid hydrogen tank has been completed. Topping mode is now underway to give us a rocket weighing 1.29 million pounds (587,000 kg) for launch. The cryogenics will be replenished throughout the countdown until the final minutes before launch to replace the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen that naturally boils away.”
Rocket launch prep underway in Brevard
Update 12:35 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency’s launch operations support team ahead of ULA’s upcoming Atlas V launch.
Close-up view: Amazon Project Kuiper
Update 12:25 p.m.: FLORIDA TODAY Photographer/Videographer Craig Bailey snapped this close-up image of the ULA Atlas V rocket awaiting liftoff at Launch Complex 41.
ULA-Amazon rocket fueling updates
Update 12:15 p.m.: Text from ULA’s latest two mission updates:
Amazon satellite launch still targeting 1:25 p.m.
Update 12:05 p.m.: ULA reported cryogenic liquid-oxygen and liquid-hydrogen fueling continue at Launch Complex 41.
“We have a green board with no issues being addressed today by the ULA launch team,” a ULA tweet said.
NWS weather: Fair skies at Cape Canaveral
Update 11:55 a.m.: As of 10:55 a.m., the most recent observation available, the National Weather Service reported fair skies, a temperature of 89 degrees, and south wind of 12 mph at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The heat index clocked in at 97 degrees. NASA’s Kennedy Space Center issued a heat stress warning earlier this morning, advising workers to hydrate and follow their employers’ heat management guidelines.
ULA Atlas V Centaur tank topping to flight level
Update 11:45 a.m.: ULA reported the Centaur upper-stage’s liquid-oxygen tank is topping to flight level.
The company’s communications personnel just shared this video that describes the upcoming Project Kuiper mission profile.
ULA releases rocket launch visibility graphic
Update 11:35 a.m.: This ULA animated graphic depicts potential visibility for Atlas V launch spectators across much of the eastern United States, ranging from 30 seconds to 6½ minutes after liftoff along the ascending rocket’s northeasterly flight path.
ULA launch team OK’d to start rocket fueling
Update 11:22 a.m.: The weather forecast remains 75% favorable, ULA reported, and the launch team is now authorized to kick off cryogenic propellant loading operations at Launch Complex 41.
For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space. Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly Space newsletter.
Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Scrub! ULA delays Atlas V rocket launch for Amazon Project Kuiper, citing booster engine
Reporting by Rick Neale, Florida Today / Florida Today
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