SCRUBBED: ‘Hot Fire Abort’ Halts ULA Delta IV Heavy Rocket Seconds Before Launch from Cape Canaveral

By  //  August 29, 2020

Coverage can be seen on Space Coast Daily

ABOVE VIDEO: United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket incurred a ‘hot fire abort’ Saturday morning just seconds before launch from Cape Canaveral.

BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket incurred a ‘hot fire abort’ Saturday morning just seconds before launch from Cape Canaveral.

Launch window opened at 2:04 a.m. ET. However, the ULA team had to push back the targeted launch as engineers worked to complete a thermal analysis of a rocket compartment that was a bit cold from the cryogenic propellants on Delta IV Heavy.

About an hour later, that work determined conditions inside the Delta IV Heavy rocket’s interstage were acceptable to proceed to launch.

Then, as the countdown began towards launch, the team called for an abort at three seconds left in the countdown. The three engines on Delta IV Heavy ignited but were shutdown 3 seconds before full power and lift-off. 

The ULA team says next launch attempt won’t come until at least seven days from Saturday.

This will be 141st mission for United Launch Alliance and our 29th for the NRO. It is the 385th Delta launch since 1960, the 12th Delta IV Heavy and the 8th Heavy for the NRO.

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket will launch the NROL-44 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Liftoff will occur from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

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Coverage of the launch can be seen on Space Coast Daily TV.

This will be 141st mission for United Launch Alliance and our 29th for the NRO. It is the 385th Delta launch since 1960, the 12th Delta IV Heavy and the 8th Heavy for the NRO. (ULA Image)

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