ST. LOUIS, Dec. 17, 2002 -- The Dec. 19 launch of NASA's ICESat and CHIPSat satellites aboard a Boeing [NYSE: BA] Delta II 7320-10 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., has been postponed due to a launch vehicle hardware issue discovered during a pre-launch test.
Launch officials identified an ordnance box on the second stage did not operate properly during testing. The unit will be replaced and re-tested.
The Delta team is targeting Jan. 8, 2003 for the rescheduled launch date.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $23 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.
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