ICON Launch Targeted for Oct. 10

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NASA and Northrop Grumman currently are preparing the agency’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer, or ICON, spacecraft and the Pegasus XL rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for ferry to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida by the L-1011 Stargazer aircraft on Oct. 1, 2019. The launch has been rescheduled to Oct. 10, 2019, following the completion of a joint NASA/Northrop Grumman investigation into a Pegasus sensor reading that was not within normal limits during previous ferry and launch attempt flights.

ICON analysis underway at Vandenberg Air Force Base

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On Nov. 19, Northrop Grumman flew the L-1011 Stargazer and Pegasus XL rocket carrying ICON back to Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. On Nov. 20, they completed the de-mate of Pegasus from the L-1011 and transported the rocket safely into the integration facility. The Northrop Grumman/NASA team continues its investigation into the off-nominal data observed during the Nov. 7 launch attempt. Once the analysis is complete, a new launch date will be determined.

NASA to Hold Launch Readiness Review for ICON

Expected to launch no earlier than Wednesday, Nov. 7 with a 90-minute launch window opening at 3 AM ET

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NASA and Northrop Grumman will hold a Launch Readiness Review early next week at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to ensure preparations are continuing on track for the launch of the agency’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer, or ICON, satellite.
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ICON skin is based on Greytness by Adammer
Background image, courtesy of NASA, is a derivitave of photograph taken by D. Pettit from the ISS, used under Creative Commons license