Atlas booster valve issue scrubs launch of ViaSat-3 F2 satellite

Atlas Launch Scrubbed Due to Valve Issue

United Launch Alliance (ULA) called off the planned launch of an Atlas 5 rocket on Wednesday night after engineers were unable to fix a malfunctioning valve within the launch window. The rocket was carrying a communications satellite built for the California-based company Viasat.

“An issue encountered while cycling the booster liquid oxygen tank valve during final checkouts” forced ULA to stand down from the launch attempt and aim for a liftoff a day later.

The next launch attempt is scheduled for 10:16 p.m. EST (0316 UTC), opening a 44-minute window at Space Launch Complex 41 on Florida’s Space Coast. Once launched, the rocket will travel due east, placing the 6-metric-ton satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit about 3.5 hours after liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Weather and Coverage

According to the 45th Weather Squadron, there is a 95 percent chance of favorable weather for the new launch window. Meteorologists noted only a minor chance of interference from cumulus clouds.

“High pressure will bring fair weather to the Space Coast on both the primary and backup days,” the launch weather officers reported. “For the primary window, a ridge axis over Central Florida will develop light, onshore winds and partly cloudy skies.”

Spaceflight Now plans to stream live coverage beginning roughly one hour before liftoff.

Author’s Summary

The Atlas 5 launch of the ViaSat-3 F2 satellite was postponed due to a liquid oxygen valve issue, with favorable weather still expected for the rescheduled attempt.

Spaceflight Now — 2025-11-06

Atlas Launch Scrubbed Due to Valve Issue

Weather and Coverage

Author’s Summary

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