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Delta 4 Leaves Satellite In Wrong Orbit

POSTED: Wednesday, December 22, 2004
UPDATED: 5:23 pm EST December 22, 2004

NASA officials said Wednesday that a Delta 4 satellite is in the wrong orbit, according to Local 6 News.

  • Photo by Local 6 News partner Florida Today (Michael R. Brown)

    The new Boeing Delta 4 Heavy rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Tuesday afternoon.

    However, hours after the launch, the rocket stranded a dummy satellite in the wrong orbit, Local 6 News reported. It happened when the booster's first stage shut down 10 seconds early and did not reach the right altitude.

    Despite the mishap, Boeing managers said the Air Force is pleased with the results of the launch.

    The Boeing team celebrated Tuesday as the company became the first to fly a heavy version of the new Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles, Local 6 News partner Florida Today reported. Lockheed Martin Corp. has focused thus far on medium-sized variants of its competing rocket, the Atlas 5.

    In a written statement issued Wednesday morning, nearly four hours after dropping off the mock military satellite short of its destination, Boeing managers contend the first mission met all of the "primary flight objectives" set by the U.S. Air Force. However, it remains unclear if achieving the desired orbit was among the flight objectives.

    Also, because the premature shut down involves the first-stage, it remains unclear Wednesday morning whether the entire Delta 4 fleet must be grounded, according to the report.

    The rocket was also carrying a pair of small probes but NASA isn't saying if signals are being received.

    The U.S. Air Force financed the $141 million mission.

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