NASA SMAP atop ULA Delta II rocket all set for launch today

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is all set to launch the Soil Moisture Active Passive satellite (SMAP) mission today at 6:20 am PST (9:20 am EST; 1420 GMT).

Mobile Service Tower has rolled back! #SMAP launch set for 6:20am PST; webcast @ 4am http://t.co/CTevRZOzLa #DeltaII pic.twitter.com/URLfcshOzD — ULA (@ulalaunch) January 31, 2015

Launch was originally planned for Thursday but got delayed by 24 hours, due to high winds, NASA said.

On its website, United Launch Alliance said: “During inspections following the January 29 launch attempt, minor debonds to the booster insulation were identified. These insulation debonds are associated with cryogenic conditions experienced during tanking operations and a standard repair will be implemented”.

The space agency's Soil Moisture Active Passive satellite (SMAP) mission is making another attempt to blast off atop a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

(With Agency inputs)