Delta IV Heavy’s Final Launch Scrubbed Moments Before Liftoff

The launch of the Delta IV Heavy rocket by United Launch Alliance was called off with just under four minutes remaining on the countdown clock. The decision was made due to an issue with the gaseous nitrogen pipeline, which provides pressure to the launch vehicle systems. ULA is planning to make a second attempt on Friday. The launch is for the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. The final Delta IV Heavy flight will deploy an intelligence satellite into a geostationary orbit. The video released by ULA shows the stages of the final Delta flight, including stage separation and satellite deployment. The NROL-70 mission will mark the end of the Delta family of rockets after six decades of operation. The Delta IV Heavy and Atlas V rockets are being replaced by ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket.



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