UPDATE: NASA Wallops scrubs Antares launch due to fire alarm
UPDATE at 6:14 a.m.
The launch of a Northrop Grumman Antares rocket carrying a Cygnus spacecraft from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island has been scrubbed for Sunday, Nov. 6.
But unlike other launch attempts scrubbed due to a boat in the secure area or mechanical issues, Sunday's launch was scrubbed due to a fire alarm nearly three and a half hours away from Wallops Island.
A fire alarm at the Cygnus mission operations control center in Dulles, Virginia, lead to an evacuation of the building there. The countdown was held at 5 minutes before the decision to scrub the launch.
The launch has been rescheduled for Monday, Nov. 27, at 5:27 a.m.
UPDATE:
Sunday's launch attempt of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket and Cygnus cargo spacecraft from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore has been postponed.
The next launch window would be Monday, Nov. 7, in a five-minute window that opens at 5:27 a.m., per NASA. Weather for that window is currently forecast as 75% favorable: High pressure looks to continue to provide tranquil weather to the Mid-Atlantic before breezy conditions impact the Wallops area Tuesday.
The Antares rocket is ready for lift off at 5:50 a.m. Sunday, from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport’s Pad 0A on Wallops Island, for the 18th resupply mission to the International Space Station.
The Antares is delivering supplies, equipment and new items for ongoing space research to the ISS, including a facility and study that attempt to advance 3D biological printing of human tissue in space.
The countdown is underway with weather 90% favorable for the launch, per a NASA tweet.
The five-minute launch window opens at 5:50 a.m., with liftoff taking place from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad-0A at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on the Eastern Shore of the state.
Viewing locations on Chincoteague Island include Robert Reed Park on Main Street or Beach Road spanning the area between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. The beach at the Assateague Island National Seashore/Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge will NOT be open during the launch.
Watch the big launch below.
MORE:Antares rocket rolls out to launchpad for big Wallops launch to ISS: PHOTOS
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: NASA Wallops scrubs Antares launch due to fire alarm at Cygnus
