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RE: THEMIS spacecrafts

Blobrana · L

Liftoff is still targeted for 23:01 GMT

Blobrana · L

L minus 10 minutes

All systems are green
Weather conditions are "go" for launch.

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Credit NASA

-- Edited by Blobrana at 22:53, 2007-02-17

Blobrana · L

A United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) satellites, between 23:01-2319 GMT, Feb 17, from SLC-17, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

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The launch of five satellites designed to determine what triggers magnetic 'substorms' on Earth was cancelled on Friday due to strong winds in the upper atmosphere. Lift-off will be reattempted on Saturday.

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The launch of NASA's THEMIS spacecraft aboard a Delta II rocket was scrubbed six minutes before launch due to out-of-limit upper level winds in the region between 10 thousand and 20 thousand feet.
The next launch attempt will be on Saturday, Feb. 17. The launch window extends from 6:01 p.m. to 6:19 p.m. EST.
The chance of not meeting the launch weather criteria on Saturday is 10 percent due to a chance for thick layered clouds, and upper level winds will also continue to be of some concern.

Blobrana · L

A US space agency (Nasa) mission to study auroras - the Northern Lights - has been delayed for 24 hours due to high winds.
The Themis mission, comprising five identical probes, aims to gain new insights into the colourful displays in high-latitude skies.
In particular, scientists want to understand what triggers a sudden brightening of the lights.
Nasa is now aiming for a Florida launch at 1801 EST (2301 GMT) on Saturday.

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Blobrana · L

At L minus 5 minutes the Launch was scrubbed!

Blobrana · L

L-minus 15 minutes and counting.

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Loading of the rocket's first stage liquid oxygen tank has been completed.

Blobrana · L

The Delta 2's first stage is being fuelled up for today's launch.