Rocket was set to hit orbit of 155 miles
Orbital Sciences, one of two private US firms chosen by NASA to shuttle cargo to the International Space Station, aborted the first test flight of its Antares rocket Wednesday.
"They've had to scrub for the day," a NASA
TV announcer said during a livefeed. "They had a premature dislocation of one of the umbilicals on the second stage."
AFP reported that the decision to abort came about 12 minutes before the 5 pm (2100 GMT) scheduled launch from the Wallops flight facility on an island off the coast of the state of Virginia, about 170 miles (270 kilometers) from Washington.
The two-stage launch vehicle, 131 feet (40 meters) tall and 12.8 feet in diameter, was set to hit an orbit of 155 miles some ten minutes after take-off.
It was not immediately clear when a new attempt would be made, but NASA TV announcers said it would likely be at least 24 to 48 hours.
A $1.9 billion contract requires Orbital Sciences to deliver freight to the ISS over the course of eight flights by the beginning of 2016.
The new launch time is set for 5 pm (2100 GMT) Saturday from the Wallops flight facility on an island off the coast of the state of Virginia, some 170 miles (270 kilometers) from Washington.
If for some reason it is not possible to carry out Saturday's launch, the company could make an attempt Sunday at the same time, officials at Orbital Sciences said.
GMT 15:48 2018 Tuesday ,09 January
Tech faithful gather to worship at mecca of innovationGMT 18:23 2018 Saturday ,06 January
Top tech lobby joins legal battle to keep 'net neutrality'GMT 14:03 2018 Thursday ,04 January
High-tech ship en route to resume hunt for MH370GMT 13:19 2017 Sunday ,31 December
Apple apologizes for slowing iPhones, offers discounted batteriesGMT 11:28 2017 Friday ,29 December
Apple, Epson face French legal pressureGMT 14:03 2017 Thursday ,28 December
North Korea denies role in WannaCry ransomware attackGMT 15:00 2017 Sunday ,24 December
NY iced tea maker sees shares tripleGMT 08:09 2017 Saturday ,23 December
France to take bitcoin regulation debateMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor