Posted by RCC on 2009-05-07 at 22:00:26 EDT
We have scrubbed tonight's launch attempt because of weather issues.

Posted by RCC on 2009-05-07 at 21:08:03 EDT
9 p.m. Still at T-1 hour. Plane has not departed. Another line of storms getting ready to come through the area.

Posted by RCC on 2009-05-07 at 20:41:31 EDT
Expect the surveillance aircraft to be ready soon to take off.

Posted by RCC on 2009-05-07 at 20:28:32 EDT
Resetting the countdownclock to T- 1 hour and holding. Evaluating the weather for the surveillance aircraft to depart Wallops and fly out over the ocean to locate any ships that would be downrange of the rocket flight path.

Posted by RCC on 2009-05-07 at 20:00:27 EDT
8 p.m. T-1 hour 15 minutes and holding.Beginning process to remove the gantry from around the rocket.

Posted by RCC on 2009-05-07 at 19:09:56 EDT
T - 1 hour 15 minutes and holding.

Posted by RCC on 2009-05-07 at 19:06:29 EDT
Storms expected at Wallops around 7:30 p.m. Gantry moved back over rocket.

Posted by RCC on 2009-05-07 at 18:11:40 EDT
6 p.m. T-2 hours and counting. Final arming of the launch vehicle continues. No issues being worked for the rocket,spacecraft or range. Severe weather predicted shortly for tracking site in N.C.

Posted by RCC on 2009-05-07 at 17:05:30 EDT
5 p.m. T-3 hours and counting. The launch team has completed vehicle test steps in the countdown. Next up is the final arming of the launch vehicle and vehicle closeout. We did have an issue with the telemetry system at our tracking site in Coquina,NC, but that has now been resolved. Surveillance plane scehduled to depart in 20 minutes to begin locating boats off Wallops Island. Latest forcast shows 70% probability of acceptable weather for launch.

Posted by RCC on 2009-05-07 at 16:01:03 EDT
4 p.m., T-4 hours and counting. 60% probability of acceptable weather for launch. Shelter moved away from the Mid-Atlantic Spaceport launch pad.

Posted by RCC on 2009-05-07 at 15:01:15 EDT
At 3 p.m. we are at T-5 hours and counting. All of the launch team is on station. The checkout of the Wallops support systems has been completed and we are beginning the final process to prepare the Minotaur rocket and TacSat-3 satellite for launch. Fog rolling in.

Posted by RCC on 2009-05-07 at 14:01:05 EDT
At 2 p.m. EDT we are at T-6 hours and counting for the launch of the Air Force Minotaur rocket. The launch window is 8 to 11 p.m. The forecast shows a 60% probability of acceptable weather for launch.

Posted by RCC on 2009-05-06 at 17:56:45 EDT
The next launch attempt for the TacSat-3 mission using the Minotaur 1 rocket is set for Thursday, May 7. The launch window is 8 to 11 p.m. The weather forecast has a 55% probablity of acceptable weather for launch. The webcast will begin at 1 p.m. EDT on May 7.