NASA Delays the Launch of Radiation Belt Probes

NASA officials announce that the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) spacecraft will not be launched on Thursday, as originally planned. A 24-hour delay will enable engineers to address an anomalous engine condition discovered during several tests.

The mission is currently scheduled to takeoff on Friday, August 24. It consists of two spin-stabilized, identical spacecraft, which will study the two Van Allen radiation belts surrounding our planet. The satellites will launch aboard an Atlas V delivery system, provided by the United Launch Alliance.

Takeoff will occur from Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), in Florida. Experts say that the launch window opens at 4:07 am EDT (0807 GMT). There is a 40 percent chance of bad weather at the launch pad, but mission controllers remain optimistic.