SAC-B/HETE LAUNCH HALTED

Thu, 31 Oct 1996 11:17:32 -0500
Source: NASA HQ Public Affairs Office
Dave Steitz
Headquarters, Washington, DC October 30, 1996
(Phone: 757/824-1776)

Keith Koehler
Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA
(Phone: 757/824-1579)

RELEASE: 96-222

SAC-B/HETE LAUNCH HALTED

Launch of the SAC-B and HETE satellites aboard an Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) Pegasus XL launch vehicle was halted today during the terminal countdown. Officials said the locking pin on the rudder of the Pegasus vehicle did not disengage. After repeated commands to disengage the pin, the allowable time window for launch after activating the fin battery lapsed. This condition requires an automatic return to the Wallops Flight Facility.

During the flight of the OSC L-1011 carrier aircraft, there were no indications of anomalies with either the SAC-B or HETE spacecraft. The replacement of the single-use thermal battery requires a minimum of two days. However, the new launch date will not be set until analysis of the problem can be completed.

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