CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A lingering weather system is expected to produce more storms Saturday along the Space Coast, but launch teams were able to beat the odds and launch a classified spy satellite from Cape Canaveral.
Air Force meteorologists now predict a 40 percent chance of favorable weather -- down from 60 percent -- for the targeted 1:51 p.m. liftoff from Launch Complex 37, News 6 partner Florida Today reported.
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"Showers and thunderstorms are still likely along the trough," reads the 45th Weather Squadron's forecast. "Also, anvils from inland thunderstorms will migrate toward the Space Coast."
The good news: The National Reconnaissance Office mission has a long launch window.
Although not officially disclosed, Thursday's window lasted four hours before poor weather finally scrubbed the mission's first launch attempt.
The mission labeled NROL-37 is speculated to be delivering a heavy eavesdropping satellite to an orbit more than 22,000 miles over the equator.
United Launch Alliance's heavy-lift Delta IV rocket is the most powerful rocket flying today, generating more than 2 million pounds of thrust at liftoff with its three first-stage boosters.
If there is no launch Saturday, ULA and the Air Force have not said when a third launch attempt would be made, but weather is expected to improve Sunday and Monday.
Launch details:
Mission: Classified for National Reconnaissance Office (NROL-37)
Rocket: United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy
Launch Time: 1:51 p.m. Saturday
Launch Window: Not disclosed
Launch Complex: 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Weather: 40 percent "go"