George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: 46-09

STSS DEMO LAUNCH POSTPOSNED UNTIL NO EARLIER THAN SEPT. 25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The launch of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s
Space Tracking and Surveillance System Demonstration mission, or STSS
Demo, is postponed until no earlier than Friday, Sept. 25. Teams are
working to correct a technical issue with some ground equipment on
the pad at Space Launch Complex 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, Fla.

A Friday liftoff of the Delta II rocket carrying the STSS Demo
spacecraft would be at 8 a.m. EDT in a one hour launch window.

Following Wednesday morning's weather launch scrub, teams detected a
small leak in a flange in the fuel transfer system under the launch
pad. Both the Delta II and STSS spacecraft have no technical issues.

Teams plan to assess the fuel leak and determine what steps to take to
support the next launch attempt.

NASA's Launch Services Program at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., is
responsible for the launch of STSS Demo. United Launch Alliance is
conducting the launch service for NASA. For more information about
NASA’s Launch Services Program visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/index.html