Main Engine Cut OffAntares Waiting on Launch Date
Chris Bergin, of NASASpaceFlight:
“During the testing and inspection process of the OA-5 vehicle, an unexpected engine actuator response was detected,” noted Trina Helquist, Sr. Manager Communications with Orbital ATK’s Launch Vehicles Division.
“In order to fully understand the occurrence, the unit was removed. We have since replaced the actuator and have completed its initial testing to ensure its readiness for the OA-5 mission.”
There is some other information regarding the delay within the article that’s worth reading, but this is the main cause. It makes sense for Orbital ATK to be extra careful with this flight, as it’s their first flight with new engines, and now would be a particularly bad time to have any anomalies.
Orbital ATK confirmed an exact launch date for its OA-5 Cygnus has not yet been determined. The current official NET (No Earlier Than) date is late September, although that is expected to change, with the launch expected to take place in the next four to five weeks – which points to an October date.
We’re still about a month out from OA-5, but it’s a good sign that Orbital ATK made any comment. The radio silence has been deafening after their static fire.