Delta IV Launch Delayed until NET May 20th

NASA and the United Launch Alliance announced today that the Delta IV launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station with the GOES-O weather satellite will occur no earlier than May 20th.

They "anticipate" a further delay, and most here at the Cape believe that Delta IV will not fly until after the launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter on June 2.

"Recent production lot testing of the linear shape charge system has indicated the need to incorporate minor design changes to assure their reliability. The linear shape charge is a component of the Range Safety command destruct system", NASA spokesperson George Diller stated this afternoon here at KSC. "There are three linear shape charges on this Delta IV which will require a modification. Schedules are being developed for the qualification and implementation of the design modification."

The newest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite - O will service the United States and most of North America from it's geostationary orbit above the equator. GOES-O will provide satellite imagery of weather systems - including inferred.

The Delta IV underwent a wet test on April 21st to see if a fuel leak - which was discovered in early April - had been repaired. No leaks were seen.